George Edward “Ed” McCullah, 69, of Hillsboro, formerly of Litchfield, died at 10:20 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2024, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Taylor Springs.
Graveside memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 1, at 10 a.m. in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Greenville. The Rev. Gary Schwab of First Presbyterian Church will officiate.
Mr. McCullah was born July 24, 1954 in Highland, the son and only child of George James and Bettie Mae McCullah. He attended Greenville Elementary School from 1963 to 1966. After his family moved to Litchfield in the summer of 1966, he attended Litchfield Jr. High, playing basketball and running track. While in high school, Mr. McCullah played basketball and ran track in the one and two mile. After graduating with the class of 1972 of Litchfield High School, he attended Greenville College for a brief time. He played rugby for the Litchfield Raiders after college, and worked at Consolidation Coal for three years.
Mr. McCullah moved with family to Springfield, building a new home. He married Lynda Suzanne Ebeling on June 22, 1984, and they later divorced. He was employed with the Illinois Dept. of Revenue for 13 years as a revenue specialist He was later recruited by CCB Credit Services as a debt collector for major credit card companies. In his leisure time, he enjoyed motorcycles, NHRA drag car racing, gardening with the Troy Bilt tiller he loved. Mr. McCullah also tilled gardens for customers, having a client base of 200-plus. He was considered the “Johnny Appleseed” for his meticulous tilling.
Mr. McCullah was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield, Litchfield Moose Lodge #1364 and the VFW, all in Litchfield. He was a friend of the Charlie Daniels Band.
Mr. McCullah is survived by cherished dear friends, Mike and Stacy Payne of Taylor Springs, Harland and Penny Scheibal of Maryville, Jeff Bates of Litchfield and John Shanklin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and special pets Dutchess, Tracie, Duke and Rascal.
Memorials may be directed to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. Plummer Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online register book or light a virtual candle, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
