John A. McCullough

John Abel McCullough, 95, of Springfield, formerly of New Berlin, died at 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at St. Johns Hospital. John was born October 31, 1921 at Passavant Hospital in Jacksonville, the son of Allen Gibbs and Grace Irene Killam McCullough of rural Winchester. He married Genelle Yaap on August 8, 1942 in a Methodist Church in East St. Louis, with Genelle's uncle, Dr. Cameron Harmon officiating. John graduated from Winchester High School and the College of Mortuary Science, an affiliate of Washington University in St. Louis. He apprenticed at the Noel Funeral Home in Pekin before becoming a licensed embalmer and funeral director in the state of Illinois. During World War II, John served as a Medical Technician with the 101st General Hospital Unit in England, France, and Occupied Berlin. The Unit was attached at various intervals with the 101st Airborne, 82nd Airborne, 29th Infantry Division ("The Blue and The Grey") and the 2nd Armored Division. In 1947, John and Genelle established the McCullough Funeral Home in New Berlin, adding the branch chapel in Loami in 1952. John and Genelle owned and operated the business until their retirement in 1986. For 25 years, until 1972, he also operated an ambulance service for the New Berlin community. John was very active in community affairs, serving sixteen years on the New Berlin Village Board, the last eight (1965-1973) as Mayor. During this time, he was instrumental in the installation of the village water, gas and sewer systems. John served six years on the Unit District 16 School Board during the formative years of the district, five years of those years as Secretary. He was a charter member of the New Berlin Men's Community Club, serving as President at different times and the only charter member to maintain his membership and attendance. John was also President for a term of the former New Berlin Business Men's Organization. As a member of the West Sangamon American Legion Post 743 since 1947, he held the offices of Commander, Service Officer, Treasurer, and most recently, Chaplain. John also served as President of the West Sangamon Senior Citizen's Group. On July 4, 2006, the citizens of New Berlin honored John with a "John McCullough Appreciation Day" at City Hall. A member of the National and Illinois Funeral Directors Associations (NFDA/IFDA), John was licensed for more than 50 years. He served on the IFDA Legislative Committee and formerly served as President of IFDA District 10. John was a member of the Island Grove United Methodist Church since 1947 and was Chairman of the Administrative Board and Board of Trustees for over thirty years. During his tenure, Blair Hall was added to the 1862 sanctuary, with construction in 1986-1987. John loved nature and enjoyed various hobbies. Always a sportsman, he loved to take his fishing boat to the Illinois River and if he caught any fish, that was just a bonus! He hunted pheasant, quail and deer. Winter days found him in his woodworking craft shop. John was an amateur arborist, planting and nurturing native hardwood saplings and other shrubs such as pawpaw, bittersweet, persimmons and nut trees in New Berlin parks and friend's yards. His Martin colony intrigued passersby. He was an avid Pretzel fan and missed very few local athletic events. John was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Allen McCullough; and his beloved wife, Genelle. He is survived by three daughters: Andrea (Rick) Speckman of Yorkville, IL, Jean McCullough of Martinez, CA, and Alida (Terry) McCartney of Baytown, TX; four grandchildren: Richard V. (Jennifer) Speckman of Franklin, TN, Julia Lauth of Saunemin, IL, Tami Stone of Athens, GA, and Tim (Megan) Stone of Chugiak, AK; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two step-grandchildren ; several step-great- grandchildren; a sister, EstaLou Hubbert of Jacksonville, IL; a nephew; three nieces; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; two aunts: Angela Killam Guthrie of Springfield, IL and Ruth Killam Martinez of Seattle, WA; and several cousins. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at McCullough-Delaney and Butler Funeral Home, 714 E. Gibson Street, New Berlin, IL. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at McCullough-Delaney and Butler Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at McCullough-Delaney and Butler Funeral Home, with Taylor Pensoneau & Paul Kramer officiating. Burial will follow in Woodwreath Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorials can be made to: Island Grove United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 84, New Berlin, IL 62670; National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater Illinois, 525 West Monroe, Suite 1510, Chicago, IL 60661; Loami Food Pantry, 106 Main Street, Loami, IL; HSHS-St. John's Hospice, 800 E. Carpenter Springfield, IL; or a charity of the donor's choice.