Joseph Cullen (1929-2021)

CULLEN, GALLOWAY, WARD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/16/2021 at 11:39:36

Joseph Cullen, 91, of Mount Vernon, died Feb. 13, 2021, at Bickford Senior Living in Iowa City. Private funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by the Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah. Burial: Mount Vernon Cemetery. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Joe and his family.
Friends and extended family are invited to watch the Mass via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Joe's tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
Survivors include his children, Mark Cullen of Iowa City, Laura (Robert) Ward of Mundelein, Ill., Pat (Marie Konkowski) Cullen of Oak Grove, Minn., and Maureen Cullen of New Delhi, India; grandchildren, Nicole Cullen, Aaron Cullen and Meghan Cullen, Michelle and Spencer (Shannon) Ward and Andrew Cullen and Sarah Cullen; and a great-grandchild on the way.
Joseph E. Cullen was born March 10, 1929, the son of Joseph and Helen (Brennan) Cullen in Des Moines. He graduated in 1947 from Dowling High School in Des Moines. Joe joined the Army in 1952, serving for two years. After leaving the military, he earned his undergraduate degree from Drake, his master's from the University of Iowa, and other certifications from Iowa State as well as the University of Northern Iowa. Joe met Ann Galloway through friends, and they were married in a quiet ceremony in Des Moines on July 1, 1960. Joe was the Mount Vernon Elementary School principal for 23 years, retiring in 1992.
Joe was also a longtime active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and a member of the Lion's Club. Joe enjoyed golfing and was an active member of Hilcrest Country Club. He enjoyed playing local golf courses with friends. Joe and Ann loved to play bridge and travel, including many road trips across the U.S. and even visiting Ireland, Egypt, Costa Rica, Dubai and Italy. Joe also liked watching sports, including Iowa football and basketball, and the Cubs, he was especially proud to have seen the Cubs win the world series. His most cherished sports to watch were those that included his grandchildren. He treasured spending time with them in all of their activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann; and siblings, Suzanne, Jack and Bill.
Memorials are suggested to Camp Courageous.