Edward P. Cullen

Edward Patrick Cullen, 77, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away peacefully at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle, Illinois after a long battle with the effects of exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Ed was born in Manhattan, NY, New York, on December 30, 1943, the son of Eleanor (Torpey) Cullen, and Edward Joseph Cullen.

Ed married Brenda Knuth on January 26th, 1980. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a devout Catholic, and servant to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears, and shared his passion for the team and football with his family and friends. Quite the animal lover, Ed made a hobby out of feeding wild critters, from cats, to crows to deer. His crows got so fat that they waddled around and could hardly fly.

Ed was a former resident of Dixon, Belvidere and Byron, IL. He attended St. Mary’s school in Dixon, IL, and graduated from Dixon High School in 1961. He retired from Chrysler Corp. in 1999, after more than 30 years. After retirement from Chrysler he worked as a school bus driver for Meridian School District for 4 years. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 1461, Belvidere, IL, a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 984, Rockford, IL, and a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Loves Park, IL.

He is survived by his wife Brenda, daughter Carrie (San Diego, CA), step-children Christina (Knuth) Joesten, Byron, IL, Raymond Knuth, Machesney Park, IL, step-grandsons, William Lund and Richard Michael Dunn, Rockford, IL, Step-great grandsons James Dunn, Mount Morris, IL and Andrew Dunn, Rockford, IL, sister, Kathleen (Foust) Dixon, IL, and brother Thomas Cullen, Dixon, IL. Also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jamie (Struhs) Dixon, IL, and two step-children, Richard and Theresa Knuth.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private, and will be livestreamed at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 7, 2021 on the St. Bridget’s Catholic Church (Loves Park, IL) Facebook page. Burial will be in Belvidere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or money, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity. There will be a celebration of his life with a graveside service conducted by the Vietnam Veteran’s of America at a later date.

The family extends a sincere thanks to all of the caring staff at the Illinois Veteran’s Home, and Compassus Hospice Care, Peru, IL.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com