Funeral services for Lyle E. McCullough, age 85, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. Jim Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore&8217;s Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the Church on Tuesday.

Lyle died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center.

Lyle E. McCullough was born Sept. 8, 1921, to Hugh and Blanche (Fremil) McCullough in Vail, Iowa. The family moved to Watertown, S.D., where Lyle graduated from Watertown High School. He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II from 1942 &045; 1945.

On May 18, 1945, Lyle was united in marriage to Mardell Zerfas in Phoenix, Ariz. He was one of four Air Force Officers and pilots who constructed the Gettysburg, S.D., airport from a dirt runway, starting in 1946. Lyle was pleased to learn how it is now, useable for larger aircraft landings. These four pilots became flight instructors, then teaching several local ranchers to fly. They also sold several airplanes.

Lyle and Mardell moved to Albert Lea in 1952, where Lyle was the Surge Dairy Dealer in three counties for over 30 years. He was a member of the Church of St. Theodore.

Lyle kept up on all local, state, and national news. In earlier years, he loved to hunt and fish. He never lost his sense of humor, his courage, and his love of life. He was the happiest when he was behind the wheel traveling and admiring God&8217;s country. He made many people happy installing water softeners and servicing iron filters until he was nearly 85 years old. He was known for his beautiful black hair, a twinkle in his eyes, and being young at heart.

Survivors include his sons: Ed (Barbara) McCullough of Vista, Calif., Patrick McCullough of Pineville, Ore., Donald McCullough of Albert Lea, and David (Lynette) McCullough of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; daughter, Barbara (Earl) Laufenberg of Cashton, Wis.; Doris Callahan, a very special friend and caregiver; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters: Marilyn Schulte of Watertown, S.D., Kathy (Jack) Link of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Marie Ranfranz of Rochester; brothers: Earl (Esther) McCullouch of Moline, Ill., Bob McCullough of Plymouth, Minn., Floyd (Betty) McCullough of San Diego, Calif., and Bill (Sharon) McCullough of Seattle, Wash.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 52 years, Mardell; brothers: Jack in World War II, Matt in 1998, Hugh (Bud) in 2002, Lloyd in infancy; a sister in infancy; and friend, Pat Callahan.