Lawrence Sullivan

Lawrence Sullivan
Lawrence Robert Sullivan peacefully left our world for a better one on August 20, 2025. Born on December 6, 1942, in Peoria, IL, Larry's faithful life exemplified the Golden Rule, except that he treated everyone he met better than he expected them to treat him.
Although Larry shared smiles, compassion, and kindness in endless supply, his greatest love was for his family. Ellen, the love of his life for 63-plus years, was, in his poetic words, his "first thought in the morning and last thought at night," who he will "surely love till the end of time." Larry was a devoted and loving father to Michelle (Brad) Bahr and Michael (Michele) Sullivan, and a doting grandfather to Kirsten Bahr, Shannon (Steve) Altheide, Gabrielle Sullivan, and Mia Sullivan. He also found immense joy in the smiles of his great-grandchildren, Patrick and Addison Altheide. He never forgot his "Grammel" and his mother-in-law, Grace O'Halloran, to both of whom, he reminded us, he "owed his life."
After marrying his high-school sweetheart and an honorable short stint in the United States Marine Corps, Larry worked in tough jobs to support his family. While working in a frozen food warehouse, an advertising executive saw him doodling on a box during his break and recognized talent. Larry was offered a job and spent the rest of his working life in advertising, putting his beautiful penmanship and natural artistic talent to work.
We all marveled at Larry's passion for the simple joys in life. Any achievement of his family. A well-ironed shirt. Any Cubs' victory. A good joke. A bad joke. Every raising of the American Flag. Winning the "champion of the world" in any manufactured contest. He loved to be around people and to make them smile. His friends at Primrose gave him ample opportunity.
Larry was a modest man of many talents. We all knew he loved music, but few knew of his beautiful singing voice. He wrote beautiful poetry and letters, which are cherished by his family and special friends to this day. He threw a nasty, big-league knuckle curve and once pitched a perfect game. He did not wear religion on his sleeve, but at times of joy and hardship alike, he found solace and strength in his deep relationship with God.
Larry leaves a legacy of "love yas" and goodwill that will continue to live on through his family, including his multiple nieces and nephews, who remember him for his kindness, his patience, his stories, and his subtle wisdom. We miss him dearly, but his spirit will forever guide us to be better at appreciating each other.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 315 W. Larkin Street, Midland, MI. Friends may meet the family at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Sullivan family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one. Condolences to the family may be made at wswfh.com.