Dennis Wayne McCullough was born September 20, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa. On December 20, 1948, he was proudly adopted by Gerald and Viola (Duskin) McCullough of Griswold, Iowa. He grew up on a farm east of town and graduated from Griswold High School, with the class of 1966.
Following high school, he served in the Nebraska National Guard while also working at Schuler Manufacturing. On September 4, 1971, Denny was united in marriage to Lila Butler at United Methodist Church in Griswold. They resided in Atlantic, until 1976 when they built a home east of Griswold. Three children were born to this union: Michael, Tony, and Anna. In 1984, they bought a house in town where Denny lived for the remainder of his life.
After working at Schulers for over 20 years, he made a change and went to work for SkyJack in Atlantic. He remained working for the company after they closed, traveling all over the United States with close co-workers and his son Tony, repairing the lift machines. When that job ended, he worked in Red Oak for a few years at the battery plant before retiring in 2011.
In the early 90’s, Denny decided to search for his biological parents, he was able to meet his mother, Dottie and half brother, Cohn. That reunion was very special to him and he made many trips to Florida to visit. As his family grew, Denny took on the role of being the best grandpa to his four granddaughters, playing a big part in each of their lives. He was always proud of his kids, grandchildren, and being a newly great grandparent.
Throughout the years, Denny made many valued friendships through his work, and at his favorite bar in town. He loved sharing stories with classmates and people he knew growing up in a small town his whole life. Those who loved him, knew he was a simple man with a good heart.
He passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025, at University of Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, attaining the age of seventy-seven years, two months and eleven days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Vi McCullough and Dorothy Droter.
He is survived by his children, Michael McCullough of Adel, Iowa, Tony (Hollie) McCullough of Atlantic, Iowa, and Anna (Mike) Jones of Harlan, Iowa; 4 granddaughters, Payten (Allan) Hopp of Harlan, Iowa, Baylee (Tyler) Andersen of Irwin, Iowa, Cierra (Michael) Erlemeier of Harlan, Iowa, and Amaurie McCullough of Atlantic, Iowa; 2 great grandsons, Arthur Hopp and Thomas Andersen; half-brother, Cohn Barnes of Edgewater, Florida; other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services will be held December 5th at 2 PM at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis. A celebration of life service will be held December 4th from 5 to 7 PM at the Griswold Community Building. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
