Fred McCullough

He had a quiet way about him. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, they were important words. Surrounded by his family, Fred V. McCullough, age 86 of Gibson City peacefully passed away Thursday, April 8th at Villas of Hollybrook Memory Care & Reflections Center of Rantoul. Visitation will be held 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Friday April 16, 2021 at Rosenbaum Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm. With Pastor Gary Fairchild officiating. Burial will follow at Drummer Township Cemetery, Gibson City. Memorials may be made to The Rantoul Villas of Hollybrook Memory Care Activity Fund or to OSF Hospice of Urbana.

Fred was born June 17, 1934 in Rantoul to Frank and Florence (Carlson) McCullough. He was preceded in death by his Parents at a very young age and was then raised by his Sister Zella and Brother-in-law Marvin Anderson. Also preceding him in death are one brother, James McCullough, and two Sisters, Zella During, and Janis Little, Son in Law, Mark Craig and grandson in-law Alex Pickett.  Fred is survived by his wife, Janece McCullough, who resides at Rantoul Villas of Hollybrook Memory Care, Children Gary (Debra) McCullough, Tammy Craig, Lisa (Mark) Lange all of Gibson City. Five Grandchildren Stacy (Chad) Johnson, Frank (Casey) McCullough, Ashley (Patrick) Morris, Lucas Lange, Taylor Lange Pickett and nine great grandchildren Hunter, Valeree, Demi, Collins, Jack, Hallee, Irelynn, Carson and Jaxson.

Fred attended elementary and Junior High Schools in Rantoul. He moved to Gibson City before his Freshman year of High School. This would be when he met his future wife of 67 years, Janece Rainwater. They were married in Gibson City on June 21, 1953.

While attending Drummer Township High School Fred excelled in athletics including Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Track. An all Wauseca Conference Running Back, the Greyhounds did not lose a game his Junior or Senior Years. Fred was inducted into the Gibson City Hall of Fame as a member of the 1951 Greyhound Football Team. Plans to attend Millikin University were dashed due to home responsibilities. Following working as a butcher at a local grocery store, Fred entered the banking business, working at First National Bank in Gibson City, rising to Vice President. He enjoyed fishing trips with co-workers, Bud O’Neal, Ivan Donner, and Doug Knapp. Retaining his passion for sports, Fred played fast pitch softball on a local team. He, along with Eldon Christianson coached his son Gary and other local players on a Gibson City Eastern Illinois Baseball team.

In the late 70’s Fred was instrumental in the opening of The Bank of Gibson City, serving as President until his retirement in 1986.

Cubs and Bears games were much loved events in the McCullough household. Fred and Janece spent many winters in Florida, visited by their Daughters and Son in Laws, Tammy and the late Mark Craig, and Lisa and Mark Lange.

Fred loved his hometown of Gibson City, serving on the Gibson Area Hospital Board of Directors and was a Charter member of the Gibson City Rotary Club. Fred was a member of the Gibson City United Methodist Church.

Fred’s favorite hobby was playing golf. He was one of a group of organizers responsible for the opening of Railside Golf Club. Always competitive, Fred was his happiest when on the course with his golf group.

In the mid-eighties, Fred purchased WGCY Radio Station and F. And G. Broadcasting Incorporated was begun, the F. for Fred and the G. for his Son Gary, again with the thoughts that it would be an asset to the community. In 2012 Fred received Gibson City’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Along with his passion for sports, Fred was a sucker for Dogs and El Caminos. Fred believed in helping others and gave generously to those causes he cared deeply about. It was a life well lived and enjoyed. He will be deeply missed by his Family and his Friends.

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