Westley Sullivan

Posted 3/6/03

Westley Sullivan, 83-year-old resident of Onamia, and formerly of Hillman, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 at the Onamia Nursing Home in Onamia.

Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 28 at the Lakeview Community Church north of Hillman, with the Rev. David Gouldin officiating. Burial was in the Lakeview Church cemetery north of Hillman.

Arrangements were by the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia.

He was born Nov. 11, 1919 in Garrison to LeRoy and Florence (Benjamin) Sullivan. He was raised on the family farm in Richardson Township and attended 88A country school. Westley joined the U.S. Army and fought in WWII until his honorable discharge. Westley farmed in Richardson Township raising dairy cattle. He also drove school bus for the Onamia School District while farming. In 1964 he retired from dairy farming but continued to raise beef cattle while also working road construction during the summer months. He continued to work road construction for various companies until he retired.

Westley enjoyed working on and repairing automobiles, deer hunting, and occasionally bear hunting. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening, camping with the family, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Westley is survived by his sons, Ritch Burkart and wife, Marcia of Santa Rosa, Calif., Ricky Sullivan and wife Susan of Milaca and John Jacobson of Hillman; daughters, Gail Seagren and husband Mark of Onamia and Penny Sullivan of Pierz; brothers, Bill Sullivan and wife Bev of Hillman and LeRoy Sullivan Jr. and wife Irene of Hillman; sister, Willodee Warrington of Bemidji; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Florence (Benjamin) Sullivan; wife, Irene (Brown) Sullivan; wife, Joyce (Hanson) Sullivan; and sisters, Bernice McBride and Reva Herring.