Cecil Ellsworth Sullivan

CECIL ELLSWORTH SULLIVAN
November 9, 1943 - August 7, 2024
Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan went to be with Jesus, the one he has preached about, witnessed about and taught about for 55 years, on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2024. Cecil had several loving family and friends at his bedside at the evening of his passing! He had been battleing Parkinson's disease and liver cancer for several years. For the past month he had been under the amazing care of the Community Living Center, a facility of the V.A. in Marion, IL.
He was quite a character, jovial, a country boy, a "people" person for sure, never meeting a stranger. In 1964 he married Carolyn Hall of Benton. Together they have 4 awesome children: Wade Sullivan, Angela (Curt) Willis, Shane (Denise) Sullivan, & Amber (Jason) Todd.
Cecil was preceded in death by his father, Howard Sullivan & step-mom, Bertha and also his mother, Betty & step-father, Fred Crisp. Also, a brother preceded him in death, Marvin W. Sullivan.
He graduated from Benton Con. High School before joining the U.S Navy and was aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal and also the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk supercarriers with two combat tours in Viet Nam from 1964 - 1968. He was definitely a patriot and loved serving his country! He was adamant about having a American flag in his front yard!
Later, after becoming a Christian in 1968 he was voted in (as a very young pastor) at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, Il. That church grew and was the apple of his eye! Life began to get even more adventurous. After pastoring at Zeigler for 17 years and overseeing the construction of a beautiful new building he felt his missionary calling to the Philippine Islands. He had been stationed there while in the Navy and then the day to return to tell them of his experience with the Lord. He loved the Philippine people and still has many Filipino friends. To make a long story short for your reading, he and Carolyn, plus two of their younger children, Shane & Amber ministered overseas for another 17 years! After this he returned to the States and became the pastor of the Lick Creek, Il. Pentecostal Church and was there with that congregation for 12 wonderful years! Cecil preached many crusades in many places! He has traveled to 36 countries! As said earlier, he loves people.
Cecil (Sonny) leaves behind his wife of 59 years and his 4 children, as well as 8 siblings being, Melvin Sullivan, Bert Sullivan, Brenda Houseworth, Debbie King, Sandy Bright, Lora Loucks, Leslie Ann Murphy and Fred Crisp. He also leaves these grandchildren of whom he is SO proud of!!! Autumn (Doug) Filkins, Jaden Ford, Cory Ford, Afftyn Sullivan, Austyn Valentine, Austin (Kourtney) Sullivan, Kameron Sullivan, and his little (punk'in heads) Jaselyn Shea Todd, Jaylin Willis, Chamnis Filkins & Caroline Brooke Filkins.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, 309 Church Street, Ziegler, IL. and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the church.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler.
Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery in Akin, Il.
Memorial contributions can be made to First Apostolic Church of Zeigler in loving memory of Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com