A Service of Remembrance will be held for Rev. Larry and Shirley McCulloch at First Presbyterian Church of DuPage on Thursday, October 13 at 11am. See more information here.
Rev. Laurence Russell McCulloch
April 12, 1933 – 2020
Laurence Russell McCulloch was born on April 12, 1933, in York, Pennsylvania. He was the first child of Laurence and Florence McCulloch. Florence passed away in 1941 and his father married Dolly (Gulden) McCulloch shortly thereafter. In 1936, his brother, Robert McCulloch was born.
Upon graduation from high school, Larry attended and graduated from Westminster College, in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. While there, he felt the call to ministry and answered that call by becoming a missionary in Pakistan. While there, he met Shirley, the one and only love of his life. Upon returning from their missionary work, they were married on August 7, 1960. Larry then furthered followed God’s call by attending seminary in New York City. Upon his graduation from seminary, he served as an assistant pastor in Garden City, New York.
It was then that Shirley and Larry adopted a boy, Theodore (Ted). At that time, they moved to what was then Plainfield, Illinois as Larry became the pastor of DuPage Presbyterian Church. Not long after that, they adopted their second child, Kathleen (Kathy) in 1967. He loved his children and took an interest in whatever they were doing. He enjoyed long conversations with either of them and wanted nothing but the best for them.
Larry would serve as the pastor of DuPage Presbyterian Church until his retirement in 1998. While at DuPage, he always felt he served three congregations without ever moving. As a rural, country church in unincorporated Plainfield to a church that was a small town mix to a fully suburban church in what became Bolingbrook, he guided and pastored his congregation with a huge heart and much wisdom. Through his faith in Christ, the church grew and became an anchor in the community.
He was active in the Rotary Club for years, especially the annual golf outing in which he never played but enjoyed handing out drinks to all the golfers. He enjoyed technology and all the new developments. Even his favorite reading was tech-oriented science fiction. And while he could seem introverted at times, he had a playful side that his children treasured.
In retirement, Larry and Shirley moved to Westminster Gardens, in Duarte, California. For Dad, not ever seeing a snowflake again was a huge draw. Also, Dad indulged his love of technology by helping run the broadcast room for the in-community cable access channel. Between that and almost daily trips to Costco or Target, he was truly happy. He enjoyed all of life until his passing in 2020.
Shirley Ann (Marquardt) McCulloch
January 3, 1933 – July 15, 2022
Shirley Ann (Marquardt) McCulloch was born on January 3, 1933 in Wisconsin. She was the only child of Theodore and Mildred Marquardt. From her earliest days, Shirley showed the spirit of adventure that would characterize much of her life. She was never afraid to try something new and to explore all the world around her. She could have a twinkle in her eye that let you know she was ready to raise a ruckus.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was central to how she lived every day. She prayed as often as she could and knew that Jesus walked with her. She was always willing to share her faith with anyone who needed.
After graduating from high school, Shirley went to nursing school and graduated as a full registered nurse. From there she eventually became a missionary nurse in Pakistan. While in Pakistan, she met the love of her life, Laurence Russell McCulloch. When both returned from Pakistan, they were married on August 7, 1960. Upon Larry’s graduation from seminary, he served as an assistant pastor in Garden City, New York while she worked as a nurse.
In 1966, Shirley and Larry adopted a boy, Theodore (Ted). At that time, they moved to what was then Plainfield, Illinois as Larry became the pastor of DuPage Presbyterian Church. Not long after that, they adopted their second child, Kathleen (Kathy) in 1967. Kathy and Ted would be Shirley’s pride and joy for the rest of her life. She loved her children deeply and it would take nothing more than a phone call from either one to make her day.
Over the next 32 years, she was involved with her church and community. She was one of the driving forces behind FISH, an organization that helped many people in the Bolingbrook area. Larry stayed as pastor at DuPage until his retirement in 1998. As part of the celebration, DuPage named the church library the “Shirley McCulloch Library.” That name is still there today.
In retirement, they moved to Westminster Gardens, in Duarte, California. Shirley was thrilled to have sidewalks to use, sharing time with lots of new friends and loved singing in the church choir at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. She helped out wherever she could at both the Gardens and the church. During that time, she and Kathy grew very close, especially after Larry’s passing in 2020.
She leaves behind not only her two children but a wealth of memories, adventures and love. Shirley Ann McCulloch will be deeply missed and always treasured.
A memorial service is being planned for later this fall.
