McCulley, Robert Lewis Sr.

Robert Lewis McCulley Sr., 94, of Brooklyn, died Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, Iowa. Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, Grace United Methodist Church, Brooklyn, with the Rev. John Dodds officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the church. A memorial fund has been established. There will be no visitation, as Robert has donated his body to medical research. Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn is assisting the family with arrangements.

Robert is survived by his children, Marie Braswell (Bob) of Victor and Robert L. McCulley Jr. (Deb) of Montezuma; nine grandchildren, Christopher Braswell (Ayako) of Okinawa, Leesie Braswell of Victor, Michelle Jarnagin (Dave) of Des Moines, Katherine Braswell (Cody Daugherty) of Newton, Matthew McCulley of Cedar Falls, Alex McCulley of Williamsburg, Shelby McCulley of Marshalltown, Robert McCulley III of Montezuma and Andy McCulley of Montezuma; and four great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Noel and Sonia Braswell of Okinawa and Cooper Daugherty of Newton.

Also surviving are his siblings, Jean Williams of Barnes City and Helen James of New Sharon; along with his sisters-in-law, Barb McCulley of New Sharon, Barb McCulley of Brooklyn, Elaine McCulley of Brooklyn and Margaret McCulley of Grinnell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Vernon, Marvin, Donald, William, Kenneth “Tunney,” David and Harlan; two sisters, Peg Simpson and Elizabeth Acord; two siblings in infancy, Rassy and Catherine; his wife, Elsie; and a special friend, Beverly Weiermann.

Robert Lewis McCulley was born Feb. 8, 1919, in rural Thornburg, Iowa, the son of John Henry and Catherine Capehart McCulley. He graduated from Gibson High School in 1936. Robert served in the U.S. Army for four years. He married Elsie Marie Ploog on June 1, 1941, in Kirksville, Mo. He was employed over the years with the Poweshiek County Home, Amana Refrigeration, for Skinny Heinshoot as a farm hand, D.W. Hubbard Lumber Company, Fullerton Lumber Company and the Poweshiek County Bridge Crew.

Robert was a member and elder of the Brooklyn Church of the Brethren until its closing, then he joined Grace United Methodist Church in Brooklyn. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed playing his guitar for folks at the nursing homes. Robert loved the outdoors and enjoyed his counselor position at church camp, telling stories and working with his hands. He went sky diving at the ages of 80, 82 and 90. He drove people to their doctor appointments and to church services and he loved to set up his “bubble machine.”

Online condolences may be extended to the family at .

Published in The Gazette April 9, 2013.