WATSEKA, Ill. – Longtime Iroquois County farmer Robert Earl (Bob) McCullough, 90, of Watseka, died peacefully Sunday, November 22, 2020 at his home.

 

He was born March 15, 1930 in Essex, Ill., to Thomas James (TJ) and Myra Mary Latz McCullough. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley Bratcher on Dec. 10, 1950, celebrating nearly 70 years of marriage. The couple had six children.

 

The family lived in rural Sheldon and Iroquois before returning to his childhood home in Watseka. He was a grain and livestock farmer and sold Cargill Seed. He enjoyed bowling, camping, and taking family vacations with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Love of family was at the top of his list. His family became an important part of the McCullough-Latz Family Reunion each June in Watseka and the McCullough Family Christmas dinner. His annual Labor Day weekend at “the campground” on his Old Texas farm near the Iroquois River was always well-attended by family and friends. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Iroquois and the First Presbyterian Church of Watseka.

 

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mae Bratcher McCullough of Watseka; one son, Daniel Robin (Ellen) McCullough of Watseka; three daughters, Janet Lin Anderson of Sheldon, Judy Mae Bingman of Champaign, and Patti Jo Jenkins (Robert Taylor) of Salem; five grandchildren, Amy (Dennis) Hofbauer of Mahomet, Bobbi (Chance Clatterbuck) McCullough of Milford; Sarah (Ron Vlach) Johnson of Urbana; Jenny Mae Howard of Carmi; and Wil Robert Bingman of Urbana; 10 great grandchildren, Carrie Riston, Brianna Hamm, Deanna Auxier, Hannah and Arthur Hofbauer, Kayla, Allison, and Jacqueline McCullough, and Alexis and Gage Vogel; two sisters Barbara Walter of Mishawaka, Ind., and Doris (John) Ash of Lebanon, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews, including Alan Bratcher of Watseka and Eric Bratcher of Heyworth, Calif. He is also remembered by several nieces and nephews and family friends.

 

He was preceded in death by one infant son, John Robert McCullough; one daughter, Brenda Joyce Haven; one grandson, Christopher Daniel McCullough; one brother-in-law raised with the family, Artie Bratcher; one son-in-law, Dr. Keith Jenkins; six brothers and their wives, Virgil (Zelma) McCullough, Lawrence (Hattie) McCullough, Samuel (Hazel) McCullough, Levi (Verla) McCullough, Thomas (Norma) McCullough, and toddler Thomas James McCullough; five sisters and their husbands, Arvilla (Buck) Foltz, Velma (Eddie) Larson, Mary (Ray) Sturm, Delorous (Joe) Guard, and infant Dorothy McCullough; and one additional brother-in-law, Charles Walter.

Private family services will be held Tuesday. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Watseka, Illinois.

 

Memorials may be made to the Mt. Hope Cemetery Care Fund, Cabery, Illinois.

 

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.

 

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