Final Salute

Fay Michael “Mike” Sullivan, age 77 of Mattoon, IL passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at his residence in Mattoon, IL.
A funeral Mass in his honor will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 320 N. 21st Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. A committal service will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery in Mattoon, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, April 21, 2025, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Mike was born on June 15, 1947, in Terre Haute, IN to the late Charles F. and Mary C. (Holmes) Sullivan. He married Linda B. Sims on July 25, 1970, in Mattoon, IL. She survives and resides in Mattoon, IL. He is also survived by two children, Beth L. Weiss and husband Nathan of Lockport, IL, Ben M. Sullivan of Mattoon, IL; two brothers, Tim Sullivan and wife Rebecca of Ellijay, GA, Dan Sullivan and wife Priscilla of Mattoon, IL; two sisters, Jody Sniff and husband Don of Pueblo, CO, Anna Cook and husband Gary of Mattoon, IL; one grandchild and two step grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Roger Sims and wife Sami, Ken Sims and wife Janette, Joe and Bill Sims; sisters-in-law, Mary and Johna Sims. Mike was preceded in death by three brothers, Pat, Frank, and John Sullivan; one sister, Mary Alice Ames; and five brothers-in-law, Bob, Eddie, Ron, and Dick Sims, and Roger Ames.
Mike was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam era as a Navy Seabee. He was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, IL where he was an usher for many years. He received his bachelor’s degree in Ag Industries from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. Mike worked at Consolidated Communications in Mattoon, IL for numerous years. He later took a position at Verizon Wireless, as a District Manager Direct Business Sales in Central IL; and retired from the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges as the Director of the Small Business Development Center.
With an unwavering commitment to his community, Mike held numerous memberships and affiliations that include: serving on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees for thirty-seven years; Illinois Community College Trustee; Lake Land Alumni Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4325 and Honor Guard; American Legion, Knights of Columbus for fifty-four years; Mattoon Area Pads Community Organization; City of Mattoon Housing Committee; City of Mattoon Planning & Zoning Committee; and School Board member for St. Mary’s Catholic School in Mattoon, IL. For many years, he was the PTA President at Humboldt School and was a volunteer firefighter for Humboldt Township Fire Department in Humboldt, IL.
Fueled by his passion for veterans, animals, and the community he loved, he was instrumental in obtaining the Veterans Memorial at Lake Land College, the restoration of the Army tank at Peterson Park, and establishing the Mattoon Community Dog Park all in Mattoon, IL. As a student at Lake Land College, he served as the Student Government President and started the annual Spring Carnival.
Mike’s greatest joy was found in the presence of his loved ones. He was a pillar of his family and cherished by not only his immediate family but by his extended family as well. He will be deeply missed but his spirit of love, family, and community will be an inspiration to all.
Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the Lake Land College Foundation, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938, or the Knights of Columbus, 320 N. 20th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

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