Irwin L. "Speed" McCullough

Irwin L. “Speed” McCullough of Jefferson Township, passed away peacefully Monday March 9, 2015 at 8 o’clock in the morning with his family by his side.
Speed, as his friends and family knew him, was born April 19th, 1926 to David I. and Claire L. (Reno) McCullough of Jefferson Township and was a graduate of the class of 1944 from Hickory High School.
He and his wife, Charlene (Riddle), married June 6, 1953 and raised three children Nancy, David and Janet.
Speed, a farmer and grain merchandiser by trade, will forever be remembered for his innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. As one of the first people in Mercer County to shell corn and mechanically dry it he, and later with the help of his son David, oversaw the growth of his family business from a small dairy farm into a country grain elevator and cash grain farming operation which he was passionate about and actively involved in until his passing.
Active in his community, Speed served as a Faith Presbyterian trustee, Sunday school teacher and chairman of the church’s building committee in 1966 when the new church was built.
As avid archers Speed and Charlene founded a local Junior Olympic Archery Development program in 1971. This program, active to this day, has touched the lives of countless young people in Mercer County, developing many of them into local, state, national and even an Olympic champion in the case of local Olympic Medalist Rodney White. Speed’s dedication to the sport earned him a place in the Mercer County Sports Hall of Fame.
Speed will be remembered not only for his accomplishments in the sport of archery but also his love of the game of baseball. An avid ballplayer, he enjoyed both catching and playing first base for the Jefferson Twp team. He was also known for donating his time and equipment to the construction of two baseball fields in Jefferson Township along with Carl Pears. He also used a lathe to make handmade ash bats for his teammates.  
He will be deeply missed by his numerous friends and family who will remember him as a good husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, math whiz, impossible to beat at cards, a problem solver, a Pirates and Indians fan and student of the game, a reader, a traveler, and a passionate debater.  
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Charlene, daughter, Janet L. (Alan) Gerard of Dexter, OR; son, David L. (DeAnn) McCullough of Jefferson Township; sister, Mary E. (Robert) Sterrett of Grove City, PA; and 6 grandchildren Caitlin Keeler of Chicago, IL; Dr. Allison Keeler Klunk (John) of MA; Justine McCullough of New York City, NY; Jenna McCullough of Beaver Falls, PA ; Bryce Gerard of Sacramento, CA; Kyleigh Gerard of Eugene, OR; and great grandson Benjamin McCullough Klunk of MA.
Preceding him in death were his father David I. McCullough, mother, Claire L. McCullough and his daughter Nancy Keeler Katzen who passed in 2009.
Friends and family are welcome to offer their condolences at 10:00 AM on Saturday March 14, 2015 at Faith Presbyterian Church located at 2370 N. Hermitage Road Hermitage PA 16148.  A Memorial Service for Mr. McCullough will be held at 11:00 AM with Pastor James Latta officiating.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Faith Presbyterian Church 2370 N. Hermitage Road Hermitage, PA 16148 or Southern Care Hospice 3009 Wilmington Road New Castle, PA 16105 in memory of Speed.
Arrangements entrusted to the Donaldson-Mohney Funeral Home & Cremation Service 124 Main St. Sharpsville, PA 16150.

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