Larry D. Sullivan, 30, locomotive engineer, saved Timothy P. Conrad, 2, from being struck by a train, Champaign, Illinois, December 15, 1966. Timothy wandered from his home and stood on a railroad track on which a freight train was approaching at 30 m.p.h. The engineer applied the brakes when the train was 600 feet from Timothy. Sullivan, who was in the cab of the locomotive, moved onto a walkway and, went 18 feet along it to the front of the engine, which was jerking due to the braking action. Descending three side steps, Sullivan grasped a handrailing across the front of the engine and moved onto a smooth steel footboard below it. There was some grease on the handrailing and the footboard. Timothy was standing alongside the rail at the opposite side of the track. Holding to the railing, Sullivan moved along the footboard, stepped around the coupling, and continued to the footboard at the other side of the engine, which then was within 50 feet of Timothy and still was jerking. Releasing one hand from the railing, Sullivan squatted on the footboard as the engine neared Timothy at a reduced speed of about 17 m.p.h. Sullivan swung his arm, struck Timothy a sharp blow on the back, and knocked him out of the path of the train, which stopped 350 feet beyond.
Obituary
Larry Dean Sullivan, 62, of Danville, passed away at 3:15 a.m. Friday (March 26, 1999) at his residence.
He was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Danville, the son of Aaron Andrew and Ethel B. Viers Sullivan. He married Jo-Dell C. Schweizer on June 5, 1969, in Danville. She survives.
Also surviving: one son, Clifford L. Schafer of Muncie, Ill.; five daughters, Simphi C. (Dave) Lenover of Danville. Sheila C. Schafer of Knoxville, Tenn., Carla D. Schafer of Danville, Tricia M. (Shane) Dickerson of Green Bay, Wis., and Amanda A. Sullivan of Danville; two brothers, John W. (Doris) Sullivan of Danville and Jere D. (Belva) Sullivan of Danville; one sister, Mary L. Walker of Danville; six grandchildren, Tate A., Taylor M., and Trevor J. Schafer of Knoxville, Tenn., Abbi M. Seymour and Lesli L. Lenover, both of Danville, and Anna C. Dickerson of Green Bay, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marth Ann Morris and her husband, Robert W. Morris.
Larry was a graduate of Oakwood Township High School He was a self-employed carpenter and a lifelong employee with Conrail Railroad with 45 years service. He attended Vermilion Heights Christian Church. He resided in Danville his whole life refusing to be dislocated to any other town or state. He was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism in 1966 for saving the life of a young boy from being struck by the train he was working on. He was a member of the United Transportation Union.
He was a beloved father to all his children. Simphi, Sheila, Cliff and Carla Schafer really appreciated his helpfulness in their older lives. He enjoyed helping older people and he was very thoughtful of his family and friends. He especially enjoyed gardening and helping other people.