Emmett J. Sullivan

Emmett J. Sullivan, 90, of Matherville, and Danville, Vt., died May 19, 2012, at Mercer County Hospital, Aledo.

A celebration of his life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, at St. John's Church in Preemption, 2406 170th Ave., and will be followed by a potluck at 11:30 a.m. in the church hall.

Emmett was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 15, 1921. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II, where he was stationed in Prestwick, Scotland, from 1941 to 1945. Emmett fell in love with Europe during his tour of duty there. His first daughter, Caroline Sullivan was born while he was stationed in Prestwick. Upon his return to the United States, he attended Marquette University in Milwaukee.

In 1956, Emmett married Mary Jane Gillogly of Matherville,and they had two daughters, Kate and Sarah Sullivan. He was in the furniture business and managed Niss, Leath and Company, and Turk Furniture of Kankakee.

Strongly affected by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Sullivan family put their belongings in storage and traveled to eight countries in Europe for six months. The family bought a Volkswagen Beetle from the factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, and drove across Europe with their 2-1/2 year old daughter, Kate and 3-week-old baby, Sarah. They explored Europe and Morocco with a keen interest in the architecture and furniture.

Emmett and Jane lived in Kankakee on the Kankakee River for 20 years. His love for historical preservation led him to purchase and restore an 1870 coach house that was set for demolition. He converted the historical site into the Stone Barn Bakery and Restaurant. It is now the Kankakee County Historical Society Stone Barn.

In 1985, Emmett and Jane retired to Vermont where he restored their 1786 Gambrel roofed home. He built a 1-1/2 acre pond behind their home for his wife, who loved Matherville Lake. Emmett also built a barn from pine trees on his property, which involved curing the wood for two years.

At 84 years old, Emmett learned to use a computer, the Apple MacBook. Tutored by his daughter, Kate, and very patient friends, he was able to go online and conduct research. Emmett was happiest when he was working on a project.

Emmett will be known for his sense of humor, and his clever play on words. Even in his final days in the hospital, he kept his sense of humor and used his quick wit to make the medical staff laugh. He left no pun unturned. Emmett was a gentleman, who will be remembered for great integrity.

He was also a recycler, who valued nature and beauty.

He will be missed and is greatly loved by his family and friends.

He is survived by wife, Jane Sullivan, Matherville; daughters, Caroline Sullivan, Denmark, Wis., Kate and son-in-law, Ed Verreaux, Altadena, Calif., and Sarah Sullivan, Austin, Texas.