John Daniel Sullivan, 78, passed away at home, March 2, 2024, after battling emphysema and diabetes in recent years. He was born October 7, 1945, in Marshall, Missouri.
Danny, as he was called by family, was the youngest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. Sullivan and LaVerne Kathleen Sullivan; and his sister, Jo Ann Burnine and her husband Harold Henry “Hank” Burnine. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 36 years, Janet Luella Sullivan; his three children, John Darrin Sullivan, Shelly Beth Fritz, and Kenneth Ray Sullivan; his brother, Larry Dean Sullivan and wife Phyllis Ann Sullivan.
John Daniel Sullivan joined the U.S. Air Force at age 17 after graduating from Lexington High School. He served 20 years as an SP, Security Police Officer, retiring with the E-7 rank of MSgt (Master Sergeant).
In his younger days, Sullivan dabbled in painting, displaying a talent for capturing wildlife and wilderness scenes. He used to love camping, deer hunting (sometimes with bow and arrow), and 4-wheeling in the great outdoors.
Sullivan’s first marriage ended and after his military service he spent the remainder of his working years as a Security Guard for Hallmark Greeting Cards at their home base in Kansas City, Missouri. He met his second wife, Jan, at Hallmark.
When both retired, they moved to Carthage, Missouri, where they lived more than 20 years until Sullivan’s death. John Daniel and Jan loved the solitary life away from it all in Carthage, preferring to stay home and garden and tend to the lawn.
Graveside services for John Daniel Sullivan will be held 1 pm, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri, with full military honors. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
