James T. Sullivan

MERCER, Wis. - James T. Sullivan, 80, of Mercer, Wis., formerly of Hurley, Sauk Village and Chicago, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at his residence.

Jim was born on Feb. 15, 1939, in Chicago, a son to Patrick and Rose (Serafinski) Sullivan. He married Dolores C. Mlynarczyk on Feb. 11, 1961, at St. Florian Catholic Church, in Chicago.

Surviving is his wife, Dolores Sullivan of Mercer; daughters, Kathy (Ron) Henchel of Madison, Sheila (Jeff) Gize of Mercer and Jenny Luse (Chip Orlikowski) of Mercer; grandsons, Jeffrey (Maggie) Gize and Aaron Luse of Mercer, Matthew (Lindsey) Henchel of Momence, Ill., and Daniel Henchel of Decatur, Ill .; granddaughters, Melissa Schlegelmilch of Philadelphia and Emily Luse of Sun Prairie; great-granddaughters, Madelyn, Kalyn, Charlotte and Evelyn; great-grandson Lucas; sisters, Patricia "Patsy" Smith of Hurley, Audrey Guild of Mercer and Joan (Jerry) Farrer of Phoenix; sisters-in-law, Camille Kovar of Carpentersville, Ill., and Frannie Stessl of Highland, Ind .; and many nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides his parents and grandparents, James was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond "Murph;" sister-in-law, Rose; father-in-law, Frank; mother-in-law, Cecelia; brothers-in-law, Bud, Norty, Jack, Victor and Richard; many aunts, uncles; and nephews, Danny and Ricky.

After Jim served in the U.S. Navy for six years, he met and married Dolores. Jim worked at Republic Steel in Chicago for 27 years, where he was known as "Soo Line Sully."

Jim and Dolores retired up North to Mercer. Jim enjoyed boating and fishing, but he really loved to play Santa every year at the VFW in Hurley and Mercer Community Center. To see the faces of the children light up really brought him joy. Even though he moved up North, he remained a Chicago Bears fan and would watch the game as much as he could. Jim was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, as well as a member of the American Legion Post 424.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, Papa, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend. Jim will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.

Cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Isaac Jogues, 5214 Lakeview Ave., Mercer at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. Military rights will be performed at the church by the VFW Post 9536 and American Legion Post 424. Following the Mass, a celebration of life will take place at The Pines, 5234 N. U.S. 51, Mercer.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home assisted in the arrangements. For more information or to express online condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.