Obituary of George Cull

George Elmer Cull, 84, of Peninsula, Ohio died in his sleep on Monday, July 6th, 2015 following many years of heart disease. George was born on August 8, 1930, in Rochester, NY, the only child of Alice Harcus and George Elmer Ruppenthal. While a toddler during the Great Depression, his father died. His mother remarried Robert Cull in 1940. George graduated from Brecksville High School in 1949 and Dartmouth College, as a history major, in 1953. He spent the majority of his life in Peninsula working in Akron and Cleveland in marketing. George was an active member of Christ Community Chapel in Hudson, Ohio, loving and serving Jesus. After committing his life to Jesus as a teenager, he fell away during his college years. After a personal experience of the grace of God, at age 70, he recommitted his life to Christ and served actively in the church, with particular joy in raising funds for the Voice of the Martyrs; hosting international church camp soccer coaches; hosting inner-city children for swim lessons and lunch at their home; and supporting Heaven's Gates, a non-proft therapeutic horsemanship program run by his stepdaughter, Mary Wilson. George was an avid birder and he and Sandy for years jointly counted birds in the predawn hours for the Audubon Society as well as literally traveling the globe to create a bird list of 600 plus species. George had a love for classical music and enjoyed many concerts at Blossom. In the last week of his life, George made his final bird count and planted flowers in the garden. George will be remembered fondly for his generous nature and his detailed, engaging, and often-humorous storytelling. George's large family was always welcome at his and Sandy's home and there was always room at the inn for more family and friends. He doted on his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending their events and celebrations near and far as well as enjoying daily and weekly visits. George is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Sandy Cull, of Peninsula and her children from a previous marriage: Brian Murphy, and his wife, Jean, Mary Wilson and her husband, Kemp, David Murphy, Kelly Gluntz and her husband, Kevin Gluntz, and Alan Murphy; and George's children from a previous marriage: Lynn Thiel and her husband, Jim, Amy Willey and her husband, Dan, Robert Cull, MaryEllen Hopkins, and Jane Barone; grandchildren: Robert Willey and his wife, Lygie Hinkle, Allan Willey and his wife, Christina, Eric Willey, and his girlfriend, Makenzie Goodman, Edith Willey, Ben Willey; Rachel Stewart, and her boyfriend, James Berg; Adam Gluntz, Kyle Gluntz, Gabrielle Gluntz and Daniel Gluntz; Lauren Smith and her husband, Bree, Devan Murphy, Tara Murphy, Jake Murphy; Kayla Marty and her husband Corey, Ethan Wilson; Derek Murphy; Drew Barone and his fiancee, Amber Muncy, Natalie Barone; great grandchildren, Milo Smith, Ramona Smith, Ayden Barone, and Lucas Willey. George was preceded in death by a daughter, Jill Cull, and a grandson, Matthew Stewart; and infant grandchildren Emma Willey and Georgia Barone. Calling hours will be held at Christ Community Chapel from 10-1 on Saturday, July 18th, followed by a Memorial Service from 1-2. Please send a condolence or share a memory at redmonfuneralhome.com Memorial contributions may be made to Heaven's Gates Therapeutic Horsemanship, 3651 Greenwich Road, Seville, OH 44273 or heavensgatestrc.org