John L. Sullivan

John Lorenz Sullivan was born June 7, 1933 in Valley, NE and died May 31, 2023 in Fremont, NE ending a long life of volunteer and civic service. John graduated from Valley High School in 1950. After graduation, he worked delivering milk until 1952 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was in the Navy from 1952 – 1954, stationed in the Marshall Islands. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Navy Reserve in August 1959. Returning home from the Navy, John went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone, Co. He worked there from 1954 to his retirement in 1986. John married his High School sweetheart. JoAnn Jensen, on May 28, 1954 in the United Faith Community Church of which they were lifelong members. JoAnn preceded him in death on March 15, 2023. John was very active in the Valley community his whole adult life. He was a member of American Legion Post #58, Victory Lodge 310 AF and AM, and the Valley Community Historical Society. He served on the Valley School Board, the Nebraska State Schoolboard Association, the County Board of Adjustments, the Valley chamber of Commerce, and was mayor of Valley for 12 years. He also served on the American Legion Firing Squad and carried the American flag in many Valley parades. He was proud to be an American! John’s volunteer service is too big to mention! He was willing to help anyone, in any way, if he could. How many people would call the mayor about a toilet not working properly and have that mayor show up and fix the toilet free of charge!! John and JoAnn traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries during their 68 years of marriage. After his retirement, John and JoAnn bought a second home in Mesa, AZ and became yearly snowbirds. They were big Husker fans and had season tickets to Big Red football for many years. John met many important people during his lifetime, but counts shaking hands with President Lyndon Johnson and meeting General Jimmy Doolittle as his highlights. John enjoyed remodeling houses and owned many rentals in Valley, Fremont, and Mesa, AZ. John was very happy to have many friendships and appreciated the support of the Valley community during his lifetime, especially when he was mayor. John was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, parents Carl and Erna Sullivan, and sister and brother-in-law, Marianne and Wayne Nielsen. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Mark) Hardy of Loveland, CO, and son John L. (Jackie) Sullivan; grandson Mitchell Sullivan and cat, Lily, all of Valley; sister, Dorothy Elias of Gretna, NE; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral Service and Masonic Service 11 AM Monday at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn. Interment with military honors at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn. Visitation Sunday at the funeral home from Noon-4 PM with family receiving friends from 2-4 PM. Memorials to the family for later designation.

John L. Sullivan

June 7, 1933 - May 31, 2023