Dean W. McCullough

Dean W. McCullough, age 94 of Lancaster passed away peacefully October 16, 2021 at Fairfield Medical Center and is now reunited with the love of his life, his wife Mary “Imogene” (McLaughlin) McCullough.  He was born to the late Raymond and Sarah Alice (McCandlish) McCullough on May 8, 1927 in Bremen, Ohio.  He served his country during WWII in the US Coast Guard and worked as a Manager at Buckeye Mart for 25 years.  He returned to the Lancaster area and started McCullough Heating and Cooling in 1972 and continued until his retirement in 1993.

Retirement was not one to slow Dean down. He was a proud member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Dean dedicated his Thursday nights (and hundreds of hours in between) to being an active member of the Rushville Union Lion’s Club, where he was presented the Melvin Jones Award and was awarded a lifetime membership to the Rushville Union Lion’s Club. Dean was also a proud Mason and Shriner member, but nothing compared to his dedication to a daily euchre game at River Valley Mall.

Dean never knew a stranger. He enjoyed sharing laughs with his family and friends as well as making new friends through each step of life. With a warm smile and kind heart, Dean made an impact on everyone around him. To those who knew him, he was a ray of sunshine and a loyal companion.  Dean was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and recently great-great-grandfather. Dean cared deeply for all his grandchildren and ensured he did everything in his power to make each of them feel the love only a grandfather can give.

Dean is survived by his children, Douglas (Susan) McCullough, Marilyn (Mark) Ritchie, Randy (Cathy) McCullough; grandchildren, Keri (Chris) Zawis, Scott (Tiffany) McCullough, Sheena (William) Gibson, Ryan (Emily) McCullough, Kristin McCullough, and Lauren (Castle) McCullough; great-grandchildren, Kassie and Brice Bowles, Jameson McCullough, Trista, Jayla and Briar Gibson, Lillian, Cadence, Skylee, and Irelynn McCullough, David and Rebekah Valencia; great-great-grandchild, Kosmo Caballero; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his grandpuppy Jurnee that he called and talked to every morning. Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife of 73 years which he met in grade school and they were high school sweethearts, Mary "Imogene" McCullough; parents; grandson, Matthew Ritchie; and brother, William McCullough.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the staff at Primrose Retirement Community and Fairhope Hospice.

Due to Covid, a joint graveside service for both Dean and his wife Imogene who passed on May 2, 2020 will take place on Saturday at 10:30AM
at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.  DUE TO COVID CONCERNS THIS SERVICE WILL BE OUTSIDE.  Burial with veteran honors will follow the
service at the cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home on Friday from 4PM until 7 PM with a Lions service
starting at 7PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dean and Imogene's name to the Rushville Union Lions Club, PO Box 1, Rushville,
OH 43150 or Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church C/O Cathy Comer 5177 Berry Rd. NE Lancaster, OH 43130. Online condolences can be made at
www.funeralhome.com