Orval W. (Mick) Sullivan, son of Anna (Drallmeier) and Maurice Sullivan was born February 17, 1908, on his grandparent’s farm near Farmersburg, IA. He died Saturday, December 26, 2009, at the Elkader Care Center where he had been a resident for five years at the age of 101.

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 September 12, 1935, at the Methodist parsonage in Elgin, IA. They were married for sixty-eight years, residing in Elkader.

Mick worked as an auto mechanic for Dittmer Motor Company for twenty years, was one of the owners of N & S Mobil Service, and worked as a custodian for Central Community Schools for twelve 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 twenty 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 48 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, IL; granddaughter Desiree (Ed) Richards and two great grandchildren Hayli and Tyler of Twin Lakes, WI; a sister, Maxine Sullivan; nephew, Tom (LaDonna) Nagel and good friends, Dawn and Greg Anderson.

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