Sr. W. Sweetland

After a long and wonderful life of 85 years, Theodore Wessley â??Tedâ? Sweetland, Sr. passed away on September 24, 2011, following a brief illness. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in Baltimore, MD. He was the son of the late Theodore R. and Marie Thomas Sweetland. He attended public school in Baltimore County, MD and attended Baltimore Polytechnic High School, graduating with the class of 1944. Upon finishing high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the end of World War II. Following his naval service he attended the University of Maryland later transferring to West Virginia University where he graduated with a degree in Forestry; in 1976 he earned a Masters Degree in Earth Sciences. Following his college career he served with United States Geodesic Survey in South America. Returning from South America he went to work for Continental Can Company, Inc. (later Continental Forest Industries, Inc.) where he worked as Nursery Supervisor at the tree farm in Chesterfield County, VA. While living in Hopewell he met and married his sweetheart of 59 years, Eleanor Ollinger Ellis. They settled in Hopewell where they made a home and raised a family. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Eleanor, his son Theodore Wessley Sweetland, Jr. and his wife Carolyn and his children Lindsay Megan and Blake Wessley Sweetland of Midlothian, VA, his son Peter Montague Sweetland of Richmond, VA, and his daughter Eleanor Sweetland Ward and her children Anne Harper and Elizabeth Montague Ward of Henrico, VA. His niece Rebecca Fenner â??Beckaâ? Haggerty and her husband David and their son Rainer Fenner Haggerty and a nephew William Archibald â??Billâ? Fenner, Jr., his wife Val, and his daughter Tricia Ann Fenner Morgan and her daughter Harper. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Hopewell, past President of the Kiwanis Club of Hopewell, was a member of the board of Zoning Appeals of Hopewell, volunteered for many organizations including Crater Community Hospice, was involved with local Archaeology, a historian & Master Gardner. He enjoyed a long career in Forestry and after retiring worked as a purchasing agent at HRWTF, Professor at Park College, a demographer and mapper at Crater Planning District Commission. He also worked as an independent contractor. His last job was as a columnist for both The Hopewell News and The Progress-Index. He leaves behind many friends and acquaintances which he held in very high esteem. A Grave Side service will be held in Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens in Prince George on Wednesday September 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Hopewell or the Crater Community Hospice. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .