Philip Sharp McCully Obituary (1945 - 2024)

Philip Sharp McCully, 78, of Toluca, went into the arms of God on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. His visitation will be on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 3-7 PM at Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in Toluca. Funeral services will be Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11 AM at the Washburn Christian Church in Washburn, IL, with Pastor Mark Bragg and Pastor Keith Ray officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Christian Cemetery in Toluca. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to: Eastern Marshall Co. Ambulance, the Washburn Christian Church in Washburn, IL or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Philip was born in Washburn, IL on Nov 24, 1945, a son to Everett S. & Geraldean (Thompson) McCully. He married Sharon Holroyd/Holland on June 4, 1988. She survives. Also surviving are his children from a previous marriage to Suzanne Dobrich: Lori (David) Durst, Toluca; Stephenie (Tim) Schwanke, Toluca; Melissa (Rich) Grandsart, Varna (Lake Wildwood); Derek (Karen) McCully, Morton. And two daughters of Sharon’s , Stefanie (Mike) Lansing, Varna and Michelle (Brad) Gerdes, Peoria. A brother, Gary (Linnie) McCully, Washburn and sister Sally (Larry) Arends, Buffalo Grove, IL. Grandchildren: Tori McCully, Kendyll (Zach) Kirkton, Kierstin (William Terry) Durst, Maddie Grandsart, Riley Grandsart, Hayden Grandsart, Isabelle McCully, Maya McCully and Dylan McCully; step grandchildren: Daniel (Sarah) Gerdes, Deanna Gerdes, Jessica (Mike) Burgess, Ryan (Jackie) Wudtke, Katherine Wudtke and Andrew Wudtke; 8 Great-grandchildren and one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother James Everett in infancy, and a brother Keith McCully. Growing up, Philip was a constant companion of his dad, learning to be a friend to all he came in contact with, regardless if it was social or business. He graduated from Washburn High School and attended Illinois State University. In the mid-1960’s, when letting a local band practice their music in one of his dad’s buildings, teenagers would stop by to listen and dance. Phil saw an opportunity, and the “Rock House Teen Lounge” was born in Washburn. Kids from all the surrounding communities would gather on Friday nights and dance to all the tunes from various bands that Phil hired. Those years were a constant source of conversation when friends would bring it up. After two years Phil felt he needed a more permanent job and that’s when he found his calling in the lighting industry. He worked for Crescent Electric and Englewood Electric, then came the opportunity to work for the Miller Lighting Company, which led him to start his own lighting agency, Philip S. McCully & Associates in 1972. He built a well-respected business over 40 years, and when he retired, his son Derek took over the reins and merged with KSA Lighting. When Phil retired in 2012, he represented over 70 lighting companies and had worked with Architects, Engineers, Corporations, Universities, IDOT and many others throughout the Central Illinois area. His knowledge of the lighting industry, coupled with his ability to friend all those he worked with, brought him accolades from the industry. Phil was proud to serve in the Illinois Air National Guard and loved his country. This brought him into politics, and he served as Vice-Chair of the Marshall County Republican Central Committee for 10 years, then became the Chairman of same for 10 more years. Whether it was local, State or Federal, Phil enjoyed helping support many candidates over the years. His family life was filled with watching his children and grandchildren playing various kinds of sports, attending dance recitals, golfing with his son & grandson, playing pickleball with his granddaughters, laughing with all of them and bragging about all of them. He and Sharon had the opportunity to travel all over the country and many other countries, enjoying all that had to offer. In 2004 they bought a winter home in FL and enjoyed the winters there for 20 years, making many new friends. Phil was a Christian and was an Elder and Trustee at his Church. In years past, Phil had served on the Board of Tall Oaks Country Club, on the Toluca City Council, and of the previous Toluca Business Association, and UIRVDA. He had also served as Grand Marshall of the annual Labor Day festivities in Toluca. Phil loved his family, golf, pickleball, the Cubs and the Bears and the FGCU Eagles. He will be missed by all who knew him. Online condolences and memories may be sent to his family at www.calvertmemorial.com