Roger Dean McCullum, 86, formerly of Canton, Illinois, passed away on August 19, 2024, at his daughter’s residence.
Dad was born on October 13, 1937, in Abington, Illinois. During high school, he was a star quarterback, pitcher and basketball player. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving on the military police force. He later graduated from Western Illinois University. It was here that he met his lifelong friend, Gary Grzanich.
Dad was a teacher, bus driver, tax preparer, insurance salesman, and he also worked summers at Schissler Seed Company and MSD and most recently, Auto Haus of Peoria, where he spent his last eighteen years.
Our dad loved every day of his life, and he lived it to the fullest. His last day of employment was in January, of 2024, as he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Rumler McCullum, who passed away on November 11, 1989. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Agnes Swedlund, his brother and sister in laws, Bill and Sandra Patterson, Bob and Karen Hartstirn and his beloved grandson, Ricky Hulvey.
He is survived by one son, BJ McCullum, of Moberly, Missouri; daughter, Chris (Jason) Edwards, of Dunfermine, Illinois and last but not least, daughter, MartaMcCullum, whose apple fell straight off her father’s tree. And we forever will be grateful to her for keeping our dad’s great sense of humor alive. They truly were “two peas in a pod.”
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Judd (Carlee) McCullum of Gilson, Illinois; Michael (Layne) Hulvey and Stevie Lea Hulvey, both of Canton.
Also surviving him are his great grandchildren: Jude Hulvey, Harper Hulvey Sophia Miller and Phoenix Miller, all of Canton.
Also surviving are his brother, Sid (Vicky) Swedlund; sister and brother-in-law, Susan (David)Todd, and several nieces and nephews.
Dad loved his family more than anything, but it was his grandchildren who forever changed his life.
Thank you to my husband, Jadon Edwards, for warmly welcoming dad into our home. He loved you so much!
Thank you, dad, for leading by example. Not by your words but by your actions. For they truly speak louder. Thank you for the unconditional love that you showed us, every single day of our lives. We will never be the same, without your presence. Thank you, God, for blessing us with the greatest man we have ever known.
Memorials may be made to the Peoria Area Honor’s Flight, at PO Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601, or greaterpeoriahonorflight.org. A private family celebration will follow at a later date, per dad’s request.
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