Roger Dean Sweet

Roger Dean Sweet, age 93, passed away on December 19, 2025 to join the angelic choir in heaven. He most likely became the director and is diligently working to improve every note and enunciation of every syllable correctly. Roger was born on August 18, 1932 in Lake Orion, Michigan to Kenneth and Evelyn Sweet. He spent his younger years there until his father relocated the family to Charlevoix, Michigan when he was a sophomore in high school. He found his calling and beginnings in the high school band. There he met his future bride, Suzanne Miles. Roger furthered his education at Albion College with a major in music, and a minor in English. On August 8, 1953 Roger and Suzanne were married. They began their journey in Albion, Michigan. Suzanne had completed her education at Grace Health and started her nursing career at Albion Hospital. The family became 3 with the addition of David in 1954. On August 2, 1955 Roger was drafted in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 3rd Class. While he was stationed at Fort Knox Kentucky, the family became 4 with the addition of Joan in 1955. Roger was honorably discharged from the Army June 20, 1957. (He did due to a stint in Germany during his time with the Army) After his discharge he secured a position in Adrian, Michigan as the Minister of Music at the Presbyterian Church. The position was organist and choir director but also was the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to his gift of the love of music, which brought an endless joy to others. Then the family became 6. The addition of Daniel (1958) and Judith (1961). One could say the Sweet-Von Trapp Family. Roger in 1964 was offered a position at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Michigan as Minister of Music. Roger took the position and the journey began. Roger’s years at the First Presbyterian Church enriched not only the church in the beauty/enrichment of music but also the community. The choir grew to include a children’s choir, youth choir as well as the adult choir. Roger helped to develop the Presbyterian Players (A talented group of people that put on religious based dramas). Roger then wrote a religious based musical “Once Upon a Time” with the help of Penny Colburn (Choreography) and Jeff Holt (Musical Arrangements). If this was not enough…In 1968, Roger took over the director position from Gif Richards of the Battle Creek Community Chorus. Under his direction, the gift of music continued: Jesus Christ Superstar, Bernstein’s Mass, Make We Merry (This was his creation and a community tradition), Bach Double Choirs, Multiple concerts from sacred music to popular music of the day (Simon and Garfunkel). His final concert, after 28 years, was in February 1996, blessed with the presence of Sir David Wilcox from England and the Albion College Choir (Under the direction of Mel Larimer a former student with Roger). Not a dry eye to be had. Roger is so grateful to his many friends, especially Penny Colburn, Michael Doolan, Charlotte Klinke, Kathleen Strang, Judy Taylor, and Loretta Gulley. Roger’s gifts continued with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pennfield Presbyterian Church, Maple Methodist Church, vocal lessons/teaching (Including those he taught in England and Ireland) and as an organist at several local funeral homes. Roger was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Evelyn Sweet, stepmother Ella Sweet, brother Jackie and sister Barbara North, grandparents William and Lizzy Sweet, several cousins, ex-wife Suzanne (Miles) Miller, and many friends. Roger is survived by his friend and caregiver Michael Doolan, his children David (Linda) Sweet, Joan (Robert) Wentworth, Daniel (Kathleen) Sweet, Judith (Charles) Berry, 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many friends. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Linda Stoddard of Maple Methodist Church officiating. Inurnment to follow the service at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Roger’s memory may be made to Maple Methodist Church, ASPCA or the Battle Creek Master Singers. Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org Service will be livestreamed at https://www.henryfuneralhome.org/obituaries/roger-sweet