Sullivan, Orval W. 'Mick'

Orval W. “Mick” Sullivan, 101, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2009, at the Elkader Care Center, where he had been a resident for five years. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregation Church in Elkader, with the Rev. Jerry Chase officiating. Interment: East Side Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 6 p.m. today at Leonard Funeral Home, and one hour before service time at the church on Wednesday.

Orval W. “Mick” Sullivan, son of Anna (Drallmeier) and Maurice Sullivan was born Feb. 17, 1908, on his grandparent's farm near Farmersburg. Mick grew up in West Union and played football and basketball before graduation from West Union High School. He was married to the love of his life, Kathryn Rose Gruver on Sept. 12, 1935, at the Methodist parsonage in Elgin. They were married for 68 years, residing in Elkader.

Mick worked as an auto mechanic for Dittmer Motor Company for 20 years, was one of the owners of N & S Mobil Service, and worked as a custodian for Central Community Schools for 12 years. He enjoyed both the teachers and students and often said it was his favorite job. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Elkader as long as he was physically able, a volunteer fireman for 20 years, spent many hours doing woodworking projects in his basement, and enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening at his home. He and Kathryn took many trips traveling by train, bus and car in the lower forty-eight states. He was delighted to be grandpa to Desiree and great-grandpa to Hayli and Tyler.

Many good memories of Mick will be cherished by his daughter, Maryln (Dale) Splinter of Marengo, Ill.; granddaughter, Desiree (Ed) Richards; and two great-grandchildren, Hayli and Tyler of Twin Lakes, Wis.; a sister, Maxine Sullivan; nephew, Tom (LaDonna) Nagel; and good friends, Dawn and Greg Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; parents; brother, Harry; and sisters, Betty Welch and Adeline Nagel.

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