BENTON – Phillip Eugene Sullivan, age 86, of Benton, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior from his home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
He was born on April 22, 1939, in Harrisburg, Illinois, the son of Alvia and Ruby (Goings) Sullivan. He married the former Jeraldean “Jean” McClintock on December 15, 1957, and shared 64 years of marriage until her passing on May 11, 2022.
Phillip attended the Ten Mile Baptist Church in McLeansboro, Illinois. He worked a variety of jobs during his lifetime, including being a janitor and school bus driver, Benton Auxiliary Police officer, owning his own construction business, and formerly working at Wurlitzer Pianos in DeKalb, Illinois.
He enjoyed bowling, playing ping pong, painting, and riding his Harley.
Together, Phillip and Jean had five children who survive him: two daughters, Marsha Vaughn and her husband Bruce of Thompsonville, Illinois, and Tonya Dawson of Benton, Illinois; and three sons, Matthew Sullivan and his wife Stephanie of Wingo, Kentucky, Tim Sullivan and his wife Joleen of Benton, Illinois, and Jim Sullivan and his wife Susan of Benton, Illinois. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), a sister, Virginia Dorris of Benton, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews. He also had a special place in his heart for his four-legged friend, Mila.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and five siblings.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois, with Rev. Jacob Gray officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Phillip, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
