Obituary of Lerita McCulloch

Lerita Mae McCulloch, neé Edwards, 87, of Waukegan, Illinois, went to be with our Lord and Savior on October 15, 2023, in Gurnee, Illinois.

 

She was born at home in Zion, IL on January 1, 1936, to Lewis and Grace Edwards, one of four children. She was the first baby born in Lake County that year and relished informing others of that fact.  After graduating from Zion-Benton Township High School in 1953, she spent a semester at Bob Jones University in Greenville South Carolina. She returned to Zion and began working at the Zion State Bank in an administrative role.  She worked for several local companies over the span of her career, eventually retiring from Outboard Marine Corporation.

 

Lerita married her high school sweetheart, John Robert, (Bob), McCulloch, on November 19, 1955 at Grace Missionary Church in Zion and they were happily married for 62 years. She was a life-long member of Grace and early in their marriage Lerita and Bob forged many close friendships in the Home Builders Sunday School class. She sang as part of the music ministry and put her friendly and welcoming personality to use as a greeter for worship services. Upon retirement she volunteered at Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center.

 

Lerita enjoyed knitting, crocheting and baking and was known to express her care for neighbors by sharing her homemade cookies!  She loved to spend time with her “club” (lifelong girlfriends from school days). She followed the Chicago Cubs and the Golden State Warriors. She loved to walk, was adventurous and travelled extensively in retirement with Bob. Their international travels included several countries in Asia, Europe and the UK, Australia and the Middle East.  

 

Her priceless legacy was that of a loving and devoted wife and mother to her three children.  She was always there for them whenever and wherever they needed her.  She was also a consistent presence and support in her grandchildren’s lives and prayed for them as well as her children daily.  One of the joys of her retirement was hosting her grandchildren with Bob at their campsite in Door County, Wisconsin.   

 

Although her final years were influenced by cancer, she persevered in reflecting God’s gracious presence in her life and desired to be a testimony for Him. She loved the Lord and her strong Christian faith was evident every day. Her notes read “For now, the knowledge of knowing the loving presence of the Lord is sufficient to carry me through each day.” Lerita will be greatly missed!

 

Lerita is survived by her children, Cindy (Richard) Jensen, Christine (Allen) Town and Corbin (Rebecca) McCulloch; grandchildren, Emily Yee (Cameron), Olivia Jensen, Caleb (Mary) Town, Ethan Town, Anna Town, Lily McCulloch, and Elynne McCulloch; sister Delora English and brothers, Lewis (Laurie) Edwards Jr., Douglas (Ann) Edwards and sister-in-law Elaine (Tim) Thomas.

 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob in 2018; parents Lewis and Grace Edwards; parents-in-law John and Edythe McCulloch; sisters-in-law Connie Edwards and Barbara Davis; and brothers-in-law Richard English, Clinton Davis, and Tim Thomas.

 

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Grace Missionary church in Zion, 1415 27^th St. on Saturday, October 28^th.  Visitation begins at 9:30 am.  Memorial Service begins at 11:00 am. 

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