Earl McCullough

Earl Samuel McCullough, 94, of Madison, Wisconsin, formerly of Platteville, Wisconsin, died on Monday, November 21, 2022. Family and friends may visit at 11:00AM Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Melby Funeral Home in Platteville. Earl's memorial service will begin at Noon that same day with lunch served afterwards.

Earl was born on October 29, 1928 in Buffalo, New York the son of Samuel and Lucy McCullough. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Mae Doud on July 1, 1950 in Garwoods, New York. Earl and Evelyn were married for 67 years and had 5 children.

Throughout their long and loving marriage, Earl and Evelyn enjoyed camping, learning different card games, fishing, and sailing. After retiring, their travels took them abroad with trips that included Israel, Switzerland, the Panama Canal, and England. Western Canada was another favorite destination. They adopted the “Snow Bird” lifestyle and spent winters in Queen Valley, Arizona.

Earl dedicated his life to education. He graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College with a degree in Education. He taught industrial arts and driver's education in Montgomery City, Missouri. After two years, the family returned to Buffalo because Earl was hired by the New York State University at Buffalo to teach mechanical drawing and engineering. The family moved to Platteville, Wisconsin in 1966 where Earl taught Civil Engineering at UW-Platteville. He earned a total of five college degrees. His fifth degree was a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from UW-Madison with expertise in soil mechanics and foundation design. He retired from UW-Platteville as Professor Emeritus in 1999.

Earl's woodworking shop gave him many hours of enjoyment. Many family members have end tables, dining tables, coffee tables, clocks, candleholders, and plant stands created by Earl. He enjoyed teaching young people to use tools and build projects for themselves. He also invented a wheeled device to gather apples from the ground and a way to make apple cider involving his industrial metal lathe.

Earl and Evelyn were long time members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Platteville. They hosted many socials for the church as well as serving in many capacities. Earl sang in the choir most Sundays and served on a variety of church committees. He also enjoyed being a general handyman for the church.

He is survived by his five children, Ken (Judy) McCullough, Mark (Jody) McCullough, Carol McCullough-Dieter (Patrick Dieter), Jill (Charlie) Clough, and Nancy (John) Wunderlin,17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Jim (Doreen) Doud, and sister-in-law, Pearl Marshall. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, parents, Samuel and Lucy McCullough, and siblings, Howard McCulllough, Martha Consier, and Ruth Fischer.

Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church of Platteville. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

The family would like to THANK the staff of BrightStar Living of Madison and residents' families that supported Dad with skill and compassion as he needed more care.