Sun Song

On October 14, 2024, the world lost one of the friendliest people to ever exist and the best dance partner in Central Indiana. Sun Song, 89, most recently of Wheeling, IL, passed away peacefully due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. His wife Chong was by his side. Sun was born March 20, 1935 in the Mapo district of Seoul, South Korea, the son of Pilyoung Song and Popae Yang. With his first 18 years dominated by Japanese colonial rule, World War II and the chaos of the Korean War, Sun did not grow up in the most auspicious of circumstances. Despite his lack of schooling, he had a natural affinity for learning, especially languages. He taught himself to speak English and Japanese fluently, which allowed him to work in post-war South Korea as a translator for the K-9 security group on a US Air Force base. On April 10, 1971 Sun became one of the luckiest men in history (just ask his friends and family members) when he married Chong (Woo) Song of Chungcheongnam-do at the Seoul YMCA Tourist Hotel. Her pragmatic hard-working can-do attitude helped to temper his sometimes whimsical decision making. Also, her unparalleled skills as a cook were well matched with his passion for eating her food. After a 20 year career at Arvin Industries in Columbus, IN, Sun became the proprietor of Golfland Driving Range on the Eastside of Indianapolis, IN. It was the perfect role for him, because it allowed him to be outside and provided many opportunities to chit chat with the patrons. He also took on the role of unpaid and untrained swing coach, despite never having played the game of golf. In his retirement, Sun maintained a very active schedule. He volunteered at Community Hospital, worked part time for a translation service, and served as stadium staff at Lucas Oil Stadium and Victory Field. He enjoyed staying fit by doing laps in the Ransburg YMCA pool, maintaining his large yard and methodically planting hundreds of flowers, shrubs and trees. Sun is survived by his wife Chong, sons Patrick (Trinh) and Marcus (Hye Young). His granddaughters Maia,Josie, Daphne, Arya, and Eliza miss their Haba dearly. Memorial services will be held November 23 at 10:00 am at Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Rand Rd in Mount Prospect, IL. Burial services will be held immediately after for family members only at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. The family will host lunch for all at Yu’s Mandarin Restaurant in Wheeling, IL. Please contact Patrick or Marcus to RSVP. Donations in Sun’s memory may be directed to the North Shore Senior Center (www.nssc.org/donate) to support their “The House of Welcome Adult Day Program”.

Sun Song

March 20, 1935 - October 14, 2024