Rose V. Sullivan

PEORIA ~ Rose V. Sullivan, 95, of Peoria, went to be with the Lord at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Buehler Home, after a long and joyful life full of family, friends, and laughter.
Born March 18, 1930, in Peoria to Walter and Catherine (Lyons) Vogel, she attended St. Thomas School and the Academy of Our Lady. She married Robert Sullivan in October 1953, and, after 48 years of an exemplary marriage, he preceded her in death in 2001. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Walter; her sister, Barbara Miller; and her daughter-in-law, Pam Sullivan.
The first in her family to attend college, Rose studied art at Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque, Iowa. After college, she worked as a commercial artist at Block & Kuhl in Peoria. She met her future husband through the Toby Catholic Social Club.
Before having children, Rose and Bob spent two years living in Phoenix, a time she always remembered fondly. After returning to Peoria, they built the house where they would raise their family.
She was a life member of the Illinois Art League and was one of the first recipients of the Spalding Award. She loved sharing the beauty of the world through her artistic creations, teaching art classes, introducing children (especially her grandchildren) to art, and participating in art shows. In retirement, she set up a new studio and produced prodigious quantities of art in various media. She enjoyed learning new media and techniques and continually developing her skills to create ever-more captivating pieces. Her greeting cards featuring beautifully drawn birds were a favorite of friends and family.
Rose and Bob enjoyed an active retirement together, including extensive domestic travel. A favorite destination was the Chautauqua Institution in New York, with its rich cultural programs and pastoral setting.
Rose was an active lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights, participated for many years in the Cursillo program and helping lead numerous Marriage Encounter weekends.
She also had been a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den mother and a member of the Peoria Women's Club.
Surviving are her daughter, Margaret "Peggy" Sullivan of Peoria; four sons, Thomas (Karen) Sullivan of Piedmont, California, Dan Sulliven of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, Brian (Sarah) Sullivan of LaGrange, Illinois and James (Heidi) Sullivan of Weston, Missouri. She also leaves her twelve grandchildren and her sister, Mary Schonberger of Peoria.
Her memorial mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. Monsignor Jason Gray will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Monsignor Watson Scholarship Fund or to the Peoria Women's Club Kitchen Restoration.
To express condolences online, please visit www.wrightandsalmon.com