obituaries

Richard Cullen

Jerseyville |

Richard Patrick Cullen, 63, died unexpectedly at 3:40 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2009 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville. He was born on Feb. 21, 1946 in New Ross, County of Wexford, Ireland, one of four children born to the late Patrick & Margaret (McCall) Cullen. His parents died at a young age, and on Dec. 22, 1959, at the age of 12, he and his brother, immigrated to the United States to Yorktown Heights, NY, where his older sister was already living. She raised Richard, and he graduated from Yorktown Heights High School. He served in the U.S. Army and served two tours of Vietnam, and he became a U.S. naturalized citizen in 1971. He was of the Catholic faith, and had served as a youth soccer coach in Jerseyville for many years. He married the former Mary Louise Cullen on Nov. 22, 1969 in Yorktown Heights, and for a few years they resided there in New York, as well as a few years on the family farm near Medora, before permanently relocating to Jerseyville where they have raised their family. Surviving are his wife, Mary of Jerseyville; two sons, Richard P. Cullen II, and his companion, Rebecca Ridenbark, and Dennis Cullen all of Jerseyville; a daughter, Carrie Gettings, and her husband, Kevin Heffington of Jerseyville; four grandchildren, Nicholas Gettings, Richard P. "Richie" Cullen III, Alexis Cullen, and Sydney Cullen; a sister & brother in law, Harriet Noleen & Steve O'Loughlin of Yorktown Heights, NY.; a brother & sister in law, Martin Richard & Kathleen Cullen of Somers, NY; and a brother in law, Thomas Sheehan of New Ross, Ireland. He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Sheehan; and his father in law and mother in law, Lawrence & Lillian Hunn. According to his wishes his body has been cremated. A memorial visitation will be from 4 p.m., until time of a short service of remembrance at 7:45 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2009 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 will conduct military rites immediately following the services. Memorials may be given to the Jerseyville Parks & Recreation or to the Jersey County War Memorial.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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