SR0244 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0244 LRB104 13254 LAW 25449 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Fay Michael "Mike" Sullivan of Mattoon, who passed away on April 17, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan was born to Charles F. and Mary C. (Holmes) Sullivan in Terre Haute, Indiana on June 15, 1947; he married Linda B. Sims in Mattoon on July 25, 1970; he served as a Navy Seabee in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era; he attended Lake Land College, where he served as president of the Student Government and started the annual Spring Carnival; he received his bachelor's degree in agricultural industries from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan worked at Consolidated Communications in Mattoon for a number of years; he later took a position as a district manager of direct business sales at Verizon Wireless in central Illinois; he retired as director of the Small Business Development Center at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan held numerous memberships and affiliations, including serving on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees for 37 years, as a trustee of Illinois Community College, and as a member of the Lake Land College Alumni Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4325 and Honor Guard, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus for 54 years; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan had an unwavering commitment to his community, serving as a member of the Mattoon Area Pads Community Organization, the City of Mattoon Housing Committee, the City of Mattoon Planning & Zoning Committee, and the St. Mary's Catholic School Board; for many years, he also served as president of the Humboldt School PTA and as a volunteer firefighter for the Humboldt Township Fire Department; he was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, where he was an usher for many years; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan, fueled by his passion for veterans, animals, and his community, was instrumental in obtaining the Veterans Memorial at Lake Land College, the restoration of the U.S. Army tank at Peterson Park, and the establishment of the Mattoon Community Dog Park, all in Mattoon; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan found his greatest joy in the presence of his loved ones, cherishing both his immediate and extended family; he will be remembered as a pillar of his family and for his spirit of love, family, and community; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Pat Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, and John Sullivan; his sister, Mary Alice Ames; and his brothers-in-law, Bob Sims, Eddie Sims, Ron Sims, Dick Sims, and Roger Ames; and

WHEREAS, Mike Sullivan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda; his children, Beth L. (Nathan) Weiss and Ben M. Sullivan; his brothers, Tim (Rebecca) Sullivan and Dan (Priscilla) Sullivan; his sisters, Jody (Don) Sniff and Anna (Gary) Cook; one grandchild and two step-grandchildren; his brothers-in-law, Roger (Sami) Sims, Ken (Janette) Sims, Joe Sims, and Bill Sims; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Sims and Johna Sims; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Fay Michael "Mike" Sullivan and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mike Sullivan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.