MIKE CULL PASSES AWAY

 

Mike Cull, once BJ Columbus bureau chief with Bill Hershey and Suzanna Gussler alongside him, passed away at the age of 78 in Columbus.

Egan-Ryan Funeral Home in Columbus is handling Mike’s final arrangements as it did for Mike’s father, Northwestern Mutual Insurance agent Robert Cull, in 2009 and for Mike’s brother, Stephen, in 2018. Mike’s mother, also deceased, is Margaret “Peggy” Cull.

Mike’s other siblings are Kathleen Cavello, Robert Cull, Kevin Cull, Sean Cull and their other sister, Margaret “Midge.”

Mike once covered City Hall for the BJ and worked for years for the state in communications jobs. And as an Ohio State Journalism School adjunct faculty member.

Hershey, the man who never met a dog he didn’t want to adopt and among the best and bravest reporters on Pat Englehart’s State Desk (he once called in a story with a gun pointed at him by mine union organizer), tipped me off.

Several years ago Mike was part of a BJ reunion that included Hershey, Jim Ricci, Mike Clary, Larry Froelich, Jim Toms, John and wife Georgia MacDonald and the late Don Bandy, an amazing rewrite man who used a phone and his typing fingers to make many a reporter look like a genius because they called in the information for Don to do work his magic.

I had several reunions with Don on Siesta Key, Florida at the annual February rental my late wife My Mona Lisa and I called home away from Ohio’s winter. And at his Bradenton home maybe 15 miles north on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Don, who had 10 siblings, passed away in 2011 and was at the BJ from 1969 till his 1997 retirement a year after Fran Murpey and I retired from 44 E. Exchange Street on the same day in 1996.

Cull in his tribute to Don in 2011 called him Banderoo.

Mike’s obituary:

Michael Brian “Mike” Cull, age 78, died September 28th, 2022 at his home in Clintonville following a lengthy illness.

 

Preceded in death by his parents Robert T. Cull and Margaret Ann “Peggy” Cull (nee Hedges),  sister Kathleen Cull Cavello and brother Stephen J. Cull.   He is survived by his daughter Rachel E. Cull and son Matthew T. Cull (Carolyn), grandchildren Rebecca, Abraham and Charlotte, his siblings Robert Cull (Mary), Kevin Cull (Rose), Margaret “Midge” Cull, Sean Cull (Mary Jo), brother-in-law Dominic Cavello (Sarah Mazer), many cousins and nieces and nephews.

 

Michael was an alumnus of St. Charles Preparatory School (1962) and The Ohio State University (1966).  Following three years in the U.S. Army (1966-1969), Michael received a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism (1971). 

 

Michael began his career as a journalist in Missouri reporting for the Columbia Missourian and Kansas City Star before joining the Akron Beacon Journal (“ABJ”) in 1972. While at the ABJ, he reported on state and legislative matters, as well as interest stories such as the “Great Blizzard” of 1978, Governor Richard Celeste’s campaign, the Hustler Magazine court case, and the Mansfield prison escape. 

 

Upon departing the ABJ, Michael headed communications for the Ohio State Treasurer and taught journalism classes at the Ohio State University, before accepting a role in communications with the Ohio Dept. of Transportation.

 

In retirement, he maintained his generosity to family and friends which included his famous biscuit drops, volunteering at election polling locations and working the IC festival.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

 

In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute in his memory to Saint Charles Preparatory School, Attn: Dan Tarpy, 2010 East Broad St. Bexley, OH 43209.

 

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6th at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 and tip a drink in Mike’s honor from 12–4 p.m. on Friday, Oct 7th at the India-Oak Bar & Grill, 590 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus 43214.

 

A Funeral Mass will be held for Michael at 11:00am on Friday, October 7th at Immaculate Conception Church, 414 E. N. Broadway, Columbus 43214.