Obituary of Michael P. Sullivan

Michael P. Sullivan, 52 of Coralville died at his home Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City with the Reverend Mark Pries officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. concluding with a time of sharing by family and friends at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Mike's memory. Online condolences may be sent for Mike's family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Michael Patrick Sullivan was born September 3, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa the son of James and Luann (McTaggart) Sullivan. Following graduation from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, he received his master's degree from Western Governors University. On December 6, 1987, he married Tina Bollinger in Des Moines. The couple lived in Des Moines where Mike was a member of the Des Moines Fire Department. From 1984 until 1991. In 1991 the couple and their family moved from Des Moines to Iowa City where he worked as a paramedic for Johnson County Ambulance Service. He became director of the ambulance service in 1992, a position he held until accepting the position of Executive Assistant for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in 2001. Last year he became the Executive Director for the Johnson County Joint Emergency Communication Center. Mike was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, participated in the USA Triathlon, lived for Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling and Football teams. He has a lifetime of friends from his days in Des Moines growing up, his firefighter days there, and many friends he has made throughout this area and the state in his work for Johnson County. Growing up in a family of nine children, his family was so important to him. His family includes his wife, Tina; daughter, Ashley Sullivan of Coralville; sons, Christopher Sullivan (Stephanie) of Johnstown, PA; and Patrick Sullivan of Des Moines; Mike's mother, Luann Sullivan of Urbandale, IA; siblings, James Sullivan (Nancy) of Des Moines; Kathy Gruening (Mike) of Des Moines; Peggy Bucher (Mike) of Wyoming, OH; Patty Combs (Dave) of Norwalk, IA; Pat Sullivan (Joyce) of Cundiyo, NM; Tim Sullivan (Angie) of Des Moines; Mary Beth Arthiers (Shannon) of Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, and a sister, Tammy Sullivan.