Wendell Stanley Sullivan

Wendell Stanley Sullivan, 95, of Urbana passed away at 4:27 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at his home.

Private family services will be held at Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana. A private graveside will take place Monday at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign. Military Rites will be performed by the American Legion Post # 71 and the United States Navy.

Wendell was born in Champaign on October 15, 1924 to parents Stephen M. Sullivan and Nola F. Freece. They preceded him in death. On August 6, 1946 he married Helen Whitlatch, she preceded him death on August 27, 2004. He married Betty Schoch on October 8, 2005, she passed away on November 1, 2014.

Also preceding him in death was his daughter Karla Sullivan, two brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughter Sherri (Kent) Paris of Urbana, three grandchildren: Cathy Grove of Richmond, IL, Andrew (Erin) Paris of Champaign and Daniel Paris of Champaign. His siblings Maurice Dean Sullivan of Champaign, Joyce (Arnie) Kropp of Catoosa, OK, seven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild also survive him.

Wendell attended Urbana Schools, leaving his junior year to join the Navy. He served aboard the USS Oakland for four years during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He worked as an Urbana Police Officer and for the U of I as a sign painter, retiring after forty-one years.

“Dad loved the Lord and there also was no greater love for family than his love. He had a very kind and generous heart. We are blessed to have him in our family.”

Memorial contributions may be made in Wendell’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Wounded Warrior Project. 

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