Joseph Dean McCullough, 31 of Deep River, Iowa died Wednesday, February 25 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 10:00a.m. at the Community Hope Church in Montezuma. Burial will be held at the Goldenrod Cemetery in Deep River. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, from 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Memorials may be directed to Joe's Family. Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph (Joe) Dean McCullough, the son of Steven McCullough and Tammy Streigle, was born on April 21, 1994, in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Tri-County High School and graduated in 2012. While in high school, Joe was involved in Future Farmers of America. Following graduation, he attended Indian Hills Community College, where he studied welding.

After college, Joe carried on the McCullough legacy as a Farmer. He also served on the Deep River Volunteer Fire Department and, more recently, worked as a truck driver hauling grain.

Joe became a father in 2011 when Ellie was born and again in 2016 with the birth of Mason. His children meant everything to him. On November 23, 2024, he became engaged to Alyssa Pierce, and they were preparing for a September 2026 wedding and the life they planned to build together.

Joe was a giver who lived to help others — as a volunteer firefighter, on the family's century farm, and as the kind of man who never knew a stranger. If something needed fixing or someone needed help, Joe showed up. He could call just about anyone and talk for hours. It didn't matter if you had five minutes — Joe had a full evening.

He was smart-mouthed, wildly inappropriate at times, and fully aware of it. He could be stubborn. He could be loud. He could absolutely be a pain in the ass. But if you needed him, he was there — no questions asked, no hesitation, probably with a sarcastic comment on the way in.

He loved his family and showed it in everyday ways. He hauled his mom and Aaron to concerts, where they made lasting memories. He fished the farm ponds with Ellie, likely offering more commentary than instruction. Mason worked alongside him on the farm, learning not just how to work the land, but how to show up for the people you love.

He spent countless hours on the farm with his brother David — which often meant as much goofing around as actual labor, despite Uncle Mark's best efforts to reel them in. He was the best little brother, spending hours collecting pets and playing outside with Hayley and letting Cassie dress him up in girls' clothes and put makeup on him without protest. Those early bonds shaped the loyalty he carried into adulthood.

Joe found peace outdoors — on the farm, fishing, and hunting — often with old school country music playing in the background. He built friendships that spanned decades in age because he didn't care how old you were or where you came from.

Even now, in true Joe fashion, he gave one final gift to others. Through organ donation, he provided more time, more hope, and more life. His family carries deep pride in that decision, knowing his legacy will continue to live on in the lives he forever changed.

Joe is survived by his children, Ellie McCullough and Mason McCullough; his fiancée, Alyssa Pierce; his mother, Tammy (Aaron) Streigle; his brother, David McCullough; his sisters, Cassie Glandon and Hayley (Tyler) Guffy; his grandmother, Doris Dugger; his uncle, Mark (Mary) McCullough; his nieces, Kaleigh Braden and Isabella McCullough; his nephew, Konner Glandon; as well as numerous cousins and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, Steven McCullough; his grandparents, Allan (Joyce) McCullough and Dean Dugger; his aunts, Susan Schmidt, Rhoda Dugger, and Nikki Dugger; his uncle, Rick Dugger; and his cousin, Jodi Cheney.