John Earl Morrissey

DANVILLE - John Earl Morrissey, 85, of Danville, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Bickford Cottage in Champaign. Born October 4, 1928 in Penfield, Illinois, he was the son of John Joseph and Margaret Anastasia (Gordon) Morrissey. John married Lois Leemon on November 27, 1954 at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Danville. She preceded him in death on December 12, 1982. He then married Sona Firebaugh-Luzenske. He spent his early years in Penfield, moving to Danville, with his family, when his father started the Danville Livestock Commission Co. John attended St. Patricks Grade School and was a 1946 graduate of Danville High School. In 1949 John purchased his first truck and began a very successful career as a livestock dealer and sale barn operator. In 1972, John retired, changed careers and began buying and selling farm land, accumulating several acres of productive Vermilion County land. John was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, the Danville Elks Lodge, Danville American Legion Post 210, and a former member of the St. Pauls Finance Committee and Schlarman High School Board. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards and in his younger years he loved to bowl. John is survived by five children, Tom (Kathy) Morrissey of Ottawa, IL, Molly (Mark) Janesky of Danville, Kay (Randy) Hicks of Perrysville, IN, Bob (Tricia) Morrissey of Park Ridge, IL and Ruth (Randy) Abbott of Alvin, IL; three sisters, Agnes Leemon of Danville, Mary Ellen Harmon of Danville, and Ruth Ann Morrissey of Danville; seventeen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois; and a sister, Margaret Aston. The family wishes to express a special Thank You to Danville Alpha Care, Carle Hospice, and Bickford Assisted Living in Champaign for their great care. A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16th at St. Pauls Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 15th at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, with a prayer service beginning at 3:30 p.m. Entombment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Schlarman Academy and St. Pauls Catholic Church. A memorial service for Johns sister, Margaret Morrissey Aston, will held immediately following the funeral. Please join Johns family in sharing memories, photos and video of his life through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.