SULLIVAN, Frank Leander 1935-2008

SULLIVAN, MATTHEWSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/15/2008 at 22:58:38

CLARKSVILLE, IOWA - Frank Sullivan, 73, of Clarksville, and formerly of Sheffield, Iowa, died on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City. Memorial services are planned for next June at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home in Sheffield.

Frank Leander Sullivan was born on May 17, 1935, at Owen, Wis., a son of Eugene and Myrna (Matthewson) Sullivan. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Sheffield, where his father owned the Sheffield Press. Frank was confirmed at St. John's Episcopal Church in Mason City and graduated from Sheffield High School in 1954.

Frank worked in the Fire Service at Yellowstone National Park following high school. He joined the U.S. Marines Corps. After the service Frank returned to Iowa and attended Mason City Junior College.

He was married to Bonnie Sullivan. He sold insurance and also worked for Sukup Manufacturing. Later Frank married again to Cleo Sullivan.

After receiving further education at Hawkeye Tech he began working at Viking Pump in Cedar Falls as a machinist. On June 6, 1972, Frank was united in marriage with Diane Leer at Sioux Falls, S.D. They made their home in Cedar Falls.

Frank and Diane bought an acreage near New Hartford and later moved to their acreage near Clarksville. On the acreages, Frank sold outdoor equipment for several years, but also raised and trained horses. He also was the union representative at Viking Pump and retired after 32 years with the company.

Frank was very strong in his beliefs, especially about unions and politics and took pride in his work. He enjoyed traveling to new places with Diane. He also enjoyed the family dogs and hunting with them, especially his Labrador retrievers. He really enjoyed his vehicles and was proud of his pickup trucks.

His family includes his wife of 38 years, Diane; daughter, Holly Marie Cobb; daughter, Lisa (Mike) Mathews, of Leland, Iowa; son, Andy Meyer and friend Pam Hansen, of Mason City; grandchildren, Kendall Rose Cobb; Quinton (Mikala) Wilson and son, Alexander; Michele Wilson; Dylan Davis; Lacey, Ben and Haley Mathews; Brittany Meyer and daughter Makenzi; John Meyer and Cole Hansen; brother, David (Cherri) Sullivan, of Colorado Springs; sisters, Pat (Jack) Rueblin, of Phoenix City, Ala.; Kathy O'Harrow, of Eagan, Minn.; uncle, Celand Melbinger, of Owen, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Paul Sullivan.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, 641-892-4241.

Published in the Globe Gazette online 12/16/2008, www.globegazette.com