Doris Jean Sullivan

Doris Sullivan would like everyone to know her work here is done. She received a call in the early morning hours of September 5, 2025 with her daughter and son-in-law at her side holding her hands. The call was an offer none can refuse. It was an assignment which has a huge bonus of a reunion with family and friends long since gone. Her unseen loved ones and long-lost friends certainly filled the room that morning.

Doris Jean (Tayon) Sullivan was born on February 10, 1929 in East St. Louis, IL, the second of four children and the only girl. Being the only girl shaped her life long attitudes into “move over boys.” Despite sibling squabbles the Tayons were a close family. She graduated from Belleville West High School and on February 12, 1949 she married the love of her life Richard Joseph Sullivan and shared 51 years of marriage.

She worked at the Belleville Shoe Company in the office for a number of years. She eventually went to work at Southern Illinois Builders Assc and Employers Local 520 Operating Engineers for 24 years as office manager until retirement. She loved her job very much as it gave her an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Doris loved to read, do jigsaw puzzles and word search games, walking, decorating her home, create flower arrangements and work in her yard. She loved to watch golf, football and baseball. She was a member of the Belleville Chapter of the Red Hats as well as PSOP. She built her life around hard work and the simple joy of spending time with family and friends. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her apple dumplings were to die for. She loved having get togethers and parties for her family. Holiday dinners at her home were a must attend event. You would never know what costume she would show up in for the holidays. She would attend every school, sporting event and church function of her grandchildren and great grandchildren if able. Doris’s legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of family and friends. A family’s grief is the price we pay for love.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Del Tayon; husband Richard Joseph Sullivan; son Michael Daniel Sullivan; granddaughter Aileen Kozsdiy; brothers William F. Tayon; Richard Tayon; Tom Tayon and bonus son-in-law, Roger Ficken; and cousin Peggy Aldrich.

Doris is survived by her loving and grateful daughter Debbie (Vince) Kozsdiy; daughter-in-law Geri Sullivan Ficken; grandchildren Courtney (Eric) Castelli; Casey (Sara) Sullivan; Ryan Kozsdiy; Sarah (Pete) Fribert; sister-in-law Kathy Tayon; great-grandchildren Lauren, Lucy, Colin Castelli; Isabell, Liam Sullivan; Lilah, Havannah, Isaiah Kozsdiy; Olivia Fribert; close cousins, Eileen (Ed) Shannon; Carol (Len) Gnojewski; Dan (Nan) O’Neill, Bill Aldrich and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers she would like for any memorials to be made to: Disabled Veterans, Wounded Warriors, Angelman Syndrome Foundation or do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for an unfortunate person

A visitation will be at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, IL on September 11, 2025 from 10:00 A.M.- 11:00 A.M. A funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home, followed by private interment at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.