Edward J. Cullen
Edward J. Cullen, 91, of Platteville died on Friday, March 15, 2013 at Southwest Health Center Hospital, Platteville.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday March 18, 2013 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville where there will be a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 p.m., friends may also call from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com Ed was born on October 1, 1921 the son of Edward and Mabel (Toomey) Cullen on the family farm near Elk Grove, Wisconsin.
He attended Elk Grove School and graduated from Platteville High School in 1939. Upon graduating from high school, Edward worked as a farm hand and miner. On June 20, 1944 he was united in marriage to Mary Lucille Powers at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Benton, WI. She preceded him in death on December 20, 1999. From 1943 to 1966 he worked as an underground “hard rock” miner for the Calumet and Heckla and Eagle Pitcher mining companies. In 1968 he was hired at UW Platteville in the Housekeeping Dept. He and his brother Pat Cullen owned and operated Cullen Brothers Cattle Company on the family farm near Elk Grove from 1970 to 1975.
Edward expressed fond memories of driving truck for his nephew Paul Cullen and doing carpentry work for his nephew, the late Richard “Dick” Bellmeyer. Upon his retirement from the University in 1985, he and Lucille moved to the South Bay area of Los Angeles, CA to the community of Lomita. During his 26 years there, Edward was very committed to volunteer opportunities and church activities. A few of his volunteer activities included, the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, House of Yaweh, and Harbor Interfaith. His participation in the Catholic Church was lifelong. Edward was a 60 year member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Past Grand Knight of Council 765 Cuba City. He and Lucille conveyed their faith to their children, each becoming a member of the Catholic Knights. Most recently Edward led the rosary on select Sundays at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Platteville.
Edward returned to his beloved southwestern Wisconsin in August of 2009. He enjoyed times spent with his family and friends. Edward enjoyed traveling across America by train, visiting Europe, and riding along with his nephew, Kevin Cullen, to area sales barns and then on the drives in the countryside to deliver calves.
Edward is survived by six sons, Michael (Lori) of Ft. Myers, FL; Charles of Exton, PA; Dennis (Margo) of Dumfries, VA; Tim (Barb) of Black Earth, WI; Kent of Platteville, WI; and Randy (Gina) of Galena, IL; two daughters, Kay (Craig) Wantoch of Woodbury, MN; and Marian Cullen Verdytte of Paris, France; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Charles (Phyllis) Powers of Rockford, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Agnes (Joe) Murphy, Ruth (Melvin) Bellmeyer, and Francis (Myron) Doyle; one brother, Patrick “Pat” Cullen; special family member, Marian (John) Foughty; one granddaughter, Samantha Cullen; and one son-in-law, Yves Verdytte.
