Michael Evan “Sully” Sullivan, 35 of Smithville, WV, died July 29, 2023, after a sudden illness.
He was born October 2, 1987, at Calhoun General Hospital in Grantsville, WV. He first
attended Ritchie County Schools and then Calhoun, growing up behind the counter of the
Five Forks General Store. He loved playing baseball and football and shone as a kicker
during his high school years. 4-H was more than just a growth and leadership program to
him – it was the theology on which he based his life values. He attended West Virginia
University after high school then was on the homecoming court during his time studying
business at Glenville State College.
Mike served multiple communities behind the scenes. From a very young age, he assisted
Creel Sound & Lighting with fairs and concerts, he helped with the North Parkersburg Baptist Church’s Singing Christmas Tree, ran sound for Ripley’s Arts Crafts Festival stages, served the youth of Calhoun as a beloved 4-H counselor, and a mainstay volunteer for the
Calhoun Wood Festival and hundreds of events where dependable hands were needed,
never seeking thanks for the work he put in. He blessed the stomachs of everyone he
served in his years as a short-order cook in Grantsville and Smithville, most recently at
Barker’s Family Restaurant. He was a scholar of comedy and a sports enthusiast, talented
fantasy football league coach and a huge Cincinnati Reds fan.
Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Colleen Roxann (Litzenburg) Sullivan, his
beloved dog Earl, and childhood imaginary friend Bill Bob. He is survived by his father,
James David Sullivan of Smithville, his sister, Susan Renee (Sullivan) Gifford of Cincinnati, and her husband, Christopher Rollin Gifford, and daughter, Claudette Roxann Gifford.
Services will be held at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 5, 2023,
officiated by Rev. Rick Metheney. Visitation is 1-4 pm, Service and internment at 4 pm and
a meal provided by the community to follow. Stump Funeral Home & Cremation, Inc., Grantsville, WV, is honored to serve the Sullivan family and assist with Sully’s final arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com
