Sullens, Herman Elmer

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Truck Driver, Night Watchman, Farmer
• Reference Number: SULL.H001
• _FGRAVE: 23444595
• Military Service: World War II, Sergeant, Company F, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th ‘Blue and Gray’ Infantry Division, United States Army
• Census: 20 Mar 1950, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois; 1950 United States Federal Census, Clay City, Illinois, District 13-3, Sheet 15
• Funeral: 11 Dec 2007, Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Flora, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Herman Elmer Sullens, age 92, of Clay City, died at 8:05 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2007, at Clay County Hospital.

He was born February 27, 1915, in Clay City, the son of John and Sophia (Cailteux) Sullens. He married Evelyn Bricker on September 25, 1937. She preceded him in death on January 29, 2006.

He owned a trucking business and hauled the Clay City basketball team to Ingraham in 1936 for $2.70. He hauled eggs and wire to the Clay City store and once pulled a bread truck out of the mud for fifty cents. He was also night watchman at the Big Four plant until he started a painting company painting oil field tanks until he retired. Several of his grandchildren helped him in that business.

He was a World War II veteran and was reported missing in action for several days. He received the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Medal, three Bronze Stars, two Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal.

He was discharged from the service and rode a greyhound bus to Clay City and had to walk to his home with his duffle bag on his back--very thankful to be home safe. He always gave God the praise for keeping him safe.

He started a one-man band in 1968 and enjoyed going to nursing homes and playing his music. He was a family man who looked forward to each new day, and enjoyed working in his garden with his fruit trees.

He was a member of the Clay City Community Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Norma and Delbert Payne of Sailor Springs, and Betty and Ira Simmons of Clay City; three sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Shirley Sullens of Lakeview, Florida, Tom and Myrna Sullens of Carthage, Texas, and David and Cathy Sullens of Kilgore, Texas; 17 grandchildren, Dean Payne of Sumner, Linda Norris of Sailor Springs, Albert Payne of Sailor Springs, Brenda Lynn of Clay City, Donna Stanley of Clay City, Wendell Simmons of Clay City, Diane Gill of Clay City, Steve Sullens of Florida, Rusty Sullens of Florida, Barbara Brance of Indiana, Rebecca Brown of Florida, John Sullens of Texas, Keith Sullens of Texas, Christiana Pritchett of Texas, James Sullens of Clay City, Dawn Epps of Texas, and Michael Sullens of Texas; one cousin, Leone Taylor, one sister-in-law, Lois of California; 37 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, one niece, and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son, John, one sister Geneva, and two brothers, John and Merlin.

Funeral services were held today (Tuesday, December 11) at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Clay City with Brother Jimmy Thomas officiating. Burial, with full military honors performed by the Clay City veterans organizations, was in the Clay City Cemetery.

Military Service:
Entered active service as a draftee on January 26, 1944 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Selected for the Infantry, completed basic training, and qualified in the military occupational specialty of Rifleman (MOS 745). Departed the Continental U.S. on August 17, 1944 bound for the European Theater of Operations. Assigned to and fought with Company F, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th 'Blue And Gray' Infantry Division, in the Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. Reported missing in action for several days, but returned to his unit. Honorably discharged as a Sergeant on October 21, 1945 at the Separation Center, Fort Sheridan. Earned the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze battle stars, and the WWII Victory Medal.

This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=2279046

Buried:
Lot 7 - 2 Add - Row 10

Family/Spouse: Bricker, Evelyn Gladys. Evelyn (daughter of Bricker, Jerry Elias and Pettyjohn, Mary E.) was born on 14 Oct 1919 in Clay County, Illinois; died on 29 Dec 2006 in Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois; was buried on 31 Jan 2006 in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sullens, N.
2. Sullens, B.J.
3. Sullens, John Robert was born on 26 Jul 1942; died on 2 Nov 1968; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois.
4. Sullens, D.D.
5. Sullens, T.E.T.
6. Sullens, D.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: SULL.J002
• _FGRAVE: 24145903

John married Cailteux, Sophie Caroline on 23 Aug 1914 in Sailor Springs, Clay County, Illinois. Sophie (daughter of Cailteux, Francois Emile and Rabideau, Josephine Julia) was born on 21 Dec 1897 in Clifton, Iroquois County, Illinois; died on 8 Mar 2005 in Flora Healthcare Center, Flora, Clay County, Illinois; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CAIL.S001
• _FGRAVE: 18083532
• Funeral: Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Sophia Caroline Wilfong, 107, of Clay City died in Flora Healthcare Center. Services will be at Summers/Kistler Funeral home with Jimmie Thomas officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services. Burial in Clay City Cemetery.

Mrs. Wilfong was born Dec. 21, 1897, in Clifton, the daughter of Emile and Josephine Rabideau Cailteux. She was a homemaker and member of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed her family and life in general. Whe was always willing to volunteer at the Golden Circle Nutrition Program, which she enjoyed very much.

She married John Sullens August 23, 1914, in Sailor Springs. He preceded her in death in 1941. She later married Forrest Wilfong who died in 1970.

Surviving are her sons, Herman Sullens and wife Evelyn; Merlin and wife Vivian;

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; daughter, Geneva; son, John; brothers George, Frank, Henry, John, Harry, and Earl; sister, Rosa; and grandson John.

Buried:
Lot 1 - Div 3 - Blk. 36

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: SULL.S004
• _FGRAVE: 39204240

Solomon married WYMAN, Rosa Belle. Rosa (daughter of Wyman, A. and Hunt, M.J.) was born on 8 Nov 1856 in Indiana; died on 19 Apr 1931 in Illinois; was buried in Dundas Cemetery, Dundas, Richland County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: WYMA.R001
• _FGRAVE: 39204233

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CAIL.F003
• _FGRAVE: 74856965

Francois married Rabideau, Josephine Julia on 15 Jul 1889. Josephine was born on 5 Feb 1873; died on 30 May 1964 in Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: RABI.J001
• Funeral: Easley-Padgett Funeral Home, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: SULL.J010

John married Dunagan, Mary Jane 'Polly' in 1840. Mary (daughter of Dunagan, Solomon and Fox, Sarah) was born on 9 Jun 1824 in Wayne County, Kentucky; died on 7 Nov 1882; was buried in Pogue Cemetery, Fairbanks, Sullivan Cemetery, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DUNA.M005
• _FGRAVE: 38397345

Notes:

Mary Jane "Polly" Dunagan was born to Solomon & Sarah Fox Dunagan in Wayne Co., Kentucky on June 9, 1824.

She married John Benjamin Sullens 1825-1850 in 1840. They had six children, George W. 1842-1914, Francis M 1842-1899, John W 1842-1914, Huldy 1847, Sarah 1849-1950 & Solomon Henry 1850-1930.

Mr Sullens died in 1850. Mary then married Thomas W."Morris" Grubbs in 1855. They had five children Cordelia 1856-1940, Ellen 1859-1882, Thomas 1860-1942, A. F. 1862-1863 & Melinda Isabella 1866-1939

A. married Hunt, M.J.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CAIL.J002

Jean married Hisette, Marie Jeanne on 7 Feb 1846. Marie (daughter of Hisette, J.L. and Bouvy, M.F.) was born on 4 Feb 1823 in Signeulx, Canton de Virton, Luxembourg, Belgium; died on 26 Oct 1900 in Clifton, Iroquois County, Illinois; was buried in Saint Johns Cemetery, L'Erable, Iroquois County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: HISE.M001