Ricky D Sullivan

Rick was born to Millard and Helen Sullivan on a beautiful day in Rockford, IL. We know it was a beautiful day, despite the time of year, because God was definitely smiling when he brought this nature loving, grinning boy into our world. Rick’s smile, laughter and the joy he brought to others will be greatly missed.

Rick travelled around frequently to hunt, fish, and explore but he always called the southern Rockford area home. He attended Guilford high school, which he never finished, and would proudly say it was because he was smarter than the teachers.

As a young man, Rick was married a couple times briefly and was blessed with three children. He worked at Chrysler, Forging and Stamping with his father and then for many years at Rock Road until he injured his back and was forced to retire in 1990.

Rick’s true passions were: hunting anything, fishing anywhere, NASCAR Racing, his Vikings, gardening and shopping at auctions. He spent many of his younger years doing all those things with his parents and would drive to Iowa to hunt and fish with his dear friends Steve and Gary.

Rick met the love of his life and soul mate, Nancy, at New Mill Tap in 1989 and hit it off instantly. They married in 1994 and for 32 more years they collected adventures and dear friends. On their journey. Rick learned what a big family was all about. Not only did he gain two step kids but also Nancy’s ten brothers and sisters, and their close families totaling over 70 strong and spread over multiple states.

Nancy amplified Rick’s passions and they were known for their huge garden at their home in Kings, IL. They made the best home canned Bloody Mary mix and would share it and their extra produce with family and friends. Rick loved the country life and loved helping out his farmer friend Wayne bring in the harvest. Rick and Nancy spent many weekends at Jordan Lake in Wisconsin or Houston County Lake in Texas helping his mother-in-law do what needed to be done so he could go fishing or deer hunting. Rick usually had a deer or two hanging before the neighboring hunters even got out of bed. Rick and Nancy also continued his tradition of Canada fishing trips, and he taught her to hunt.
Rick was known as an exceptionally good hunter. So good that the DNR came to the New Mill Tap looking for him one day. He, of course, was not there, until they mentioned they needed his help hunting a large cat. Once Rick heard that, he magically appeared and proceeded to school those boys by tracking and bagging that cougar the same day.

Rick always had a smile on his face, some may call it a grin, and he liked to tease, especially the kids. A niece said” wherever he was there was always laughter”. One day Rick and Nancy shared his love of ice fishing with his girls. They had a blast and caught lots of fish but had to stop because Haley kept sticking her feet in the hole and eventually lost her boot. Rick was so proud of his children and grandchildren and loved to hear all about their accomplishments.

Rick was such an avid mushroom hunter, especially morels, that he acquired the name Mushroom Man. It was as if he could actually smell them from a distance. The last few years he learned how to use a smoker which he thoroughly enjoyed and perfected his smoked BBQ ribs. Rick also loved to dance, and he and Nancy spent many a Saturday night doing just that.

Rick is survived by his wife, Nancy Sullivan; daughters Amber(Cody) Newberry and Haley(Gary) Desmond, both of Arkansas and son Jeff Sullivan of Illinois, step daughter Karla ( Craig) Anhalt of Wisconsin and step son David Hollister of Florida; grandchildren Audrey, Cheyenne, Morgan, Cannon, Reagan, Brianna, Parker, Connor and Cassidy; many brother and sister in-laws and many more nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Linda Allen and many good friends, especially Lloyd.

Please go out and enjoy the outdoors in his honor and don’t forget to smile and find joy in everything you can.

Nancy would like to thank their family and friends, especially Penny, who has been a friend since kindergarten, and Bryan for all their help and support at this time.

A Celebration of Life will be at the New Mill Tap, 6935 11th Street, Rockford, IL 61109, on Saturday June 27, 2026 at 12:00 pm. Please come and share your stories.