Obituary: Culler, Joseph Warren
Age 90
He was born on December 26, 1924, in Kahlotus, WA, the third child of Clarence J. and Cecelia (Broderick) Culler.
Joe started his education at the Orin School House, attended St. Mary of the Rosary Parish School in Chewelah, and graduated from Jenkins High School in 1942.
He worked in the shipyard in Portland prior to joining the Navy.
After training in Farragut, ID, he was stationed in Hawaii where, in addition to his military duties, he enjoyed many recreational opportunities including spear fishing and cliff diving.
After discharge from the Navy, he returned to Chewelah where he met and married his wife of 61 years, Ida Mae Oman.
They moved to Astoria, OR, with their infant son when Joe was recalled to the Navy during the Korean conflict.
They raised their family of eight children in the Spokane Valley, then moved back to the Chewelah area during retirement.
Joe made the local news when he commuted to Eastern Washington State College (now EWU) from Felts Field in a single-engine airplane.
He taught Industrial Arts at Rogers High School, earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration, served on the Board of the Skill Center in Spokane, and was an active member of the Spokane Education Association.
He was a proponent of education and even in his last year supported the local library and school bond measures.
Joe was a devout Catholic, a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as a Eucharistic minister.
The family was active in St. Paschal’s Parish in Spokane.
After retiring to the Chewelah area, they participated daily in a morning rosary group.
Joe’s active lifestyle was an inspiration to many.
Despite limited finances and his wife’s fear, Joe was passionate about flying and always managed to have access to a plane.
His many adventures as a pilot included surviving three crashes.
Flying led to skydiving, an activity which he shared with three of his four sons.
Joe was always the most enthusiastic participant as he led his children and grandchildren in swimming, fishing, water skiing, sailing, and even ice skating at the family lake cabin at Waitts Lake.
Other activities Joe enjoyed were bowling, hunting, square dancing, swing dancing, soccer, and especially golf which he continued until just recently.
He had a quick wit and the twinkle in his blue eyes warned of an imminent joke or pun.
His other affiliations include the American Legion, Kappa Delta Phi, the Democratic Party, Lion’s Club, POPs (Parachutists over Phorty Society), and Chewelah Men’s Golf.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Mae; son Michael Joseph; infant son Joseph M.; infant grandson Brendon Joseph Brown; brother, Wayne Culler; sisters Dorothy Abbott and Alice Crowley; and his parents.
He is survived by his children, Ginny Knowles (Kirke), Spokane Valley, Susan Brown (Charlie), Bellingham, Paula Culler, Chewelah, John Culler (Peggy), Liberty Lake, Brian Culler (Virginia) Chewelah, Becky Washington (Ron), Chewelah, Jeff Culler (Ishka), Millwood; brother James Culler, Talkeetna, Alaska; brother-in-law, William Crowley, Chewelah; sister-in-law Dixie Oman, Chewelah; 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Church, 502 E. Main, Chewelah, WA.
A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2015.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2015, with Father Jose Luis Millan-Mendez as celebrant.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 3083 Hemlock, Valley, WA 99181.
DANEKAS FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORY is entrusted with the arrangements.