Obituary of Joyce A. McCullough

Joyce A. McCullough, 84, of Iowa City, formerly of rural Conesville, died Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the United Presbyterian Church in Lone Tree, with a time of visitation prior to the service starting at 11 a.m. Family committal services will be at the Conesville Cemetery. Memorials in Joyce's memory may be made to the United Presbyterian Church in Lone Tree, Grace United Church of Christ in Conesville or the Conesville Fire Department. Online condolences can be left at www.gayandciha.com. Joyce Ann Thomas was born March 26, 1930, in Columbus City, Iowa; daughter of David Harlan and Frances Eva (Duncan) Thomas. She graduated from Columbus Junction High School and attended nursing school. On June 17, 1950, she married Gaylord A. McCullough, in Cuba City, WI. For most of her life, she worked alongside Gaylord on their farm west of Conesville, while also raising their ten children. Her Welsh heritage was very important to her; she was a board member of the Iowa Welsh Society, member of the Welsh North American Association and the North American Welsh Choir. She enjoyed visiting family sites throughout Wales immensely. She had a sharp wit and an acute sense of humor. Joyce was very strong in her faith; she was a member of the United Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and shared God's love with others throughout her many years as a Sunday school teacher. She co-founded and was a leader of the Louisa County Lucky Clovers 4-H Club. She was an avid gardener, canner, bird watcher, and world traveler and loved to sing and entertain the residents of local care centers. She traveled near and far to support her family. She attended countless sporting events in support of her grandchildren, who brought her great joy. She was a dedicated Hawkeye fan. Her family includes her children, Dianne Lauber, Columbus Junction, David McCullough (Sheryl), Conesville, Don McCullough (Judy), Conesville, Donna Brun (friend, Allen Beaver), Hills, Doris Keldgord (Tim), Muscatine, Darlene Schweitzer (David) Columbus Junction, Debbie Smith (Ed) Columbus Junction, Dayle Pretz (Mike) Columbus Junction, Dan McCullough (Raeann), Conesville and Denise McCullough (Dean Wellman), Dubuque. Grandchildren include Anthony Lauber of Columbus Junction, Ashley Lauber of Kalona, Jenny Zaehringer (Jessica, Courtney, Joey and Alex), Columbus Junction, Jodie and Kenny Marlette (Wyatt and Kody), Wapello, John and Lindsay McCullough (Mason and Mia) and Jake and Stephanie McCullough (Kaylee and Lexi). Donny and Amber McCullough (Madelyn, Tyler and Addison), James McCullough all of Conesville, Eric and Holly Brun(Payton, Hailey and Chase) of Riverside, Erin and Tyler Light (baby due in May) of Lisbon, Kasey and Todd Broeker (Nike and Samantha) and Tim Keldgord (Breanna, Cole and Cooper) of Mount Pleasant, Josh and Marissa Keldgord of Cedar Rapids, Nick Keldgord of Muscatine, Jeremy and Dana Schweitzer (baby due in June) of Ames, Amanda and Brady Miller of Ann Arbor, MI, Charity and Scott Strawhacker (Jered, Jena and Wyatt) of Morning Sun, Sam and Brenna Smith (Bryndle) of Lowden, Katie and Tony Cox (Braxton) of North Liberty, Megan, Kelsey and Tommy Pretz of Columbus Junction, Caleb McCullough and Dawson Curry of Conesville; and her sister, Loris Carden of Tucson, Arizona. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord in 2001; her parents, and brother, Thomas E. Thomas.