Earl Lee McCullough was born Dec. 5, 1948, in Friend to Clifford and Irene (Balch) McCullough. He was the fourth of five children, and he received his crown of life on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 1 day.
As a young man, Earl attended and graduated from Friend High School in 1967. He also attended Southeast Community College, where he completed his degree in Mechanical Drafting and Engineering. On June 16, 1972, Earl and Lori (Roth) McCullough were united in marriage at East Fairview Mennonite Church. The couple was blessed with five children: Jodi, Kim, Vicki, Jamie and Jackie.
Through his professional career, Earl enjoyed farming and held several roles as a custodian. He also spent many years managing as the head groundskeeper at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to teach young men and women within his department. Finally, Earl blessed the lives of many by starting the McCullough and Son Lawn Service. With his lawn service, he deeply enjoyed serving others, spending time with his son and sharing his expertise.
Earl accepted Christ as his personal Savior in his youth and for many years, Earl was a regular member of East Fairview Mennonite Church, where he served as a sexton for the church cemetery. He enjoyed reading scripture and contributing in his small group each Sunday. In his free time, Earl loved attending the sporting events and activities of his many grandchildren. He also enjoyed collecting John Deere toy tractors and traveling to Branson, Mackinac Island and the Noah’s Ark replica in Kentucky with his wife, Lori. Earl always carried love, patience and gentleness to those around him.
Earl is survived by his wife, Lori McCullough; daughters and sons-in-law, Jodi (John) Troyer, Dorchester, Kim (Jared) Stauffer, Milford, Vicki (Aaron) Nelson, Milford; son and daughter-in-law, Jamie (Melissa) McCullough, Milford; and daughter and son-in-law, Jackie (Tad) Tewes, Jordan, Minnesota. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Dylan (Laramie) Troyer, Gage (Ella Hochstein) Troyer, Milford, Cameron Stauffer, Coleman (Kendall) Stauffer, Lincoln, Carson (Jayla Policky), Milford, Camille Stauffer, Concordia, Kansas, Braxton (Anna) Nelson, Tierra (Austin) Knepp, Caden Nelson, Trayton Nelson, Harper, Hadley, and Harlee McCullough, Milford, Ella and Jude Tewes, Jordan, Minnesota; and four great-grandchildren, Emric and Zev Nelson, and Weston and Ellie Knepp, Milford; brothers, Gerald McCullough, Geneva, Harold McCullough (Lyn), Milford, and Earlene Winkler of Crete; honorary God-child, Charlotte Winkler, Minden, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Irene; parents-in-law, Jake and Esther Roth; sister, Laura; brother-in-law, John Winkler; sister-in-law, Fredetta Roth; brothers and sisters-in law, Wilton and Arvilla Schweitzer, Willis and Donna Roth, Wayne and Aloha Roth and Richard and Eleanor Roth.
The funeral service was Oct. 9 at the East Fairview Mennonite Church with a burial at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for future designation. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
