SULLIVAN, Mary E. 1923-2009
SULLIVAN, ONEAL, BENZ, LUEFLING, LIES, LAMMERT, BRUNER
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 5/17/2010 at 11:49:42
[Waterloo Courier, Friday, October 23, 2009]
WATERLOO - Mary Elizabeth Sullivan, 86, of Prescott, Ariz., formerly of Waterloo, died October 15 in Prescott. She was born July 21, 1923, in Savannah, Ill., daughter of Lawrence Joseph "Joe" O'Neal and Mary Benz O'Neal. She was the oldest of four children. She attended St. John's grade school in Savannah and graduated from Savannah High School in 1941. After graduating, she worked at the dime store in downtown Savannah. She later was employed at the Proving Grounds of the Savannah Army Depot where she met Joseph R. Sullivan. He was called to serve his country during World War II, delaying their marriage until after the war. Mary and Joe were married at St. John the Baptist Church in Savannah, Ill., on September 2, 1946.
They began their married life in Waterloo where Joe was employed by John Deere. Mary worked as a homemaker until all her children were in school. She was active in the Rosary Society at St. Mary's parish and in the Girl Scouts. Mary went on to manage the Evanson's Hallmark store at Crossroads Center until Joe's retirement. She then also retired so they could travel together. Mary and Joe traveled extensively after his retirement and enjoyed camping. They loved to dance and would frequently polka with the polka club for the senior citizens at various nursing homes. Mary and Joe were very active in the UAW retirees and served many a Thanksgiving meal at the UAW Union Hall. Joe passed away in October 1985. Mary continued to tour and travel after Joe's death.
Mary enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting and quilting. Baby blankets and afghans were created with love for her children and grandchildren. Card games, jigsaw puzzles and word puzzles were some of her favorite pastimes. Mary's grandchildren were a source of joy to her. She would take them along on many of her tours and trips. She would willingly spoil them with cookies and other goodies when they came to visit.
She loved us, her family most of all. She will be deeply missed by her children: Joyce Luefling of Edwardsburg, Mich., Don and Linda Sullivan of Waterloo, Thomas and Deanna Sullivan of Normal, Ill., Timothy and Carol Sullivan of West Des Moines, Joan and David Lies of Cedar Falls, Sharon and Steve Lammert of Colorado Springs, Colo., Edward Sullivan of Tulsa, Okla., Jean and Scott Bruner of Prescott, Ariz., and James and Robin Sullivan of Austin, Texas, and by 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, her sister Rosalyn Walston of Fulton, Ill., and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: her parents; her husband; a son-in-law, Leonard Luefling; and two brothers, Bernard and Lawrence Jr. "Bud."
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 Friday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street, where there will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation also for an hour before the services at the church.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen