June 19, 1920 – September 12, 2021
Wanwalah McCullough, 101, of Heltonville, entered heaven on Sunday, September 12, 2021, while residing at White River Lodge in Bedford, Indiana.
She was born June 18, 1920, in Lawrence County, Indiana, to Lobie and Minnie Deckard. She was a graduate of Needmore High School Class of 1940. She married Frank McCullough on October 27, 1940, and he preceded her in
death on November 14, 1983. Wanwalah was a member of Donica Church of God. She worked at Westinghouse and Sarkes Tarzian in Bloomington, Indiana. She was also a caregiver for many family and friends throughout the years. Her most important job was serving her Lord, Jesus Christ. Wanwalah’s service was evident in how she cared for others. She put as much love and care into making a simple June apple pie for a grandson as she did when she prepared an enormous holiday meal for her entire family. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking the Thanksgiving meal for several years for her middle son, Ernie, at his shop, E & R Fabricating.
All who loved and knew Wanwalah, or “Wootsie” as known by many, have unique and special memories to share. Purple was definitely her signature color! She loved to share recipes, sketch pictures, and collect rocks. Her loved ones would bring her rocks from their adventures, and she would save every one of them by gluing them together on a piece of driftwood for them to admire. When she sang “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck,” you knew she meant it with all her heart!
Survivors include her three sons, Edward (Barbara), Ernie (Amy), and Jay (Patty); grandchildren Shawn McCollum (Nelson), Darin McCullough (Angie), Hannah McCullough, Sarah Stewart (Ron), Lucas McCullough (Whitney), Logan McCullough (Alexa) and Katie McCullough (fiancé Trace); great-grandchildren Clay McCollum, Carson McCollum, Morgan Cessna (Kyle), Corbin McCullough (Charlie), Conner McCullough, Rosalie Jo McCullough, Jack Logan McCullough, and Harper Grace McCullough; great-great-grandchildren Mack Jacob Cessna and Mabel Mae McCullough.
She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers Earnest, Wayne, and Vernon; sisters Ila Beavers and Wilma Quackenbush; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Donica Church of God, 1969 Donica Church Road, Bedford, with Pastor Kendall Hendrickson officiating. The family will greet visitors from 11:30 until the time of the service. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Donica Church of God or the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association.
The family would like to express our gratitude to the staff of White River Lodge and the many in-home caregivers who cared for Wanwalah during her time of need.
Services for Wanwalah have been entrusted to the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes in Bedford.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.FergusonLee.com.
