After a courageous 10-year battle with his health, Kenneth “Kenny” Harlan McCulley, 70 of rural Barnes City, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 27, 2026, surrounded by those he loved most at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday October 2, 2026 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial will be held at the Union Mills Cemetery near Union Mills. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Thursday, October 1, 2026 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gayle McCulley and will be split between the Montezuma Fire Department, Deep River Fire Department, New Sharon Fire and Rescue, Calvary Lutheran Church or the MHP Hospice Serenity House. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

His journey was not always easy, but Kenny faced every challenge with strength, determination, and a faith that carried him through. After 10 years of fighting, he is finally free from the pain and struggles his body endured. We find comfort in knowing that he is now resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord.

Kenny was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on October 24, 1955, to Harlan Arthur and Barbara Marie (Kudart) McCulley. He was the oldest of six boys. His strong work ethic and determination began at a young age. While still in high school, Kenny worked numerous jobs and, shortly after graduation, began working for Manatts as a ready-mix driver. Around that same time, he met and married the love of his life, Gayle DeAnn Weiss, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. Together, they raised two children, Mandy Jo and Bronson Dean.

Kenny continued working for Bushong Construction and Van Wyk Freight Lines before eventually venturing out on his own and starting McCulley Construction. Later, Kenny and his brother Jim joined together to create McCulley Culverts, Inc., where they traveled throughout Iowa with their crew, building box culverts. After 15 years of working alongside his brother, Kenny decided to slow down and stay closer to home, so he returned to working on his own and spent his days patching highways and doing concrete flatwork locally. It was during this time that he was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease. But even that diagnosis could not slow Kenny down. For three years, he hauled an oxygen tank on his back in a wrestling bag he borrowed from his grandson, Mason, and continued working until he received the gift of life through a double-lung transplant. That transplant gave Kenny eight more years to enjoy the things he loved most—his family, his friends, his work, and his hobbies. He never took those extra years for granted.

When he wasn’t working, Kenny “Burrhead” could often be found fishing on the river, setting lines, hunting at the farm with his son, son-in-law, and grandchildren, or tinkering in his shop, taking things apart just to see how they went back together. He was also an avid baker. In the winter months, Kenny worked hard on perfecting his sour dough bread recipe. But mostly, Kenny loved being outdoors, working with his hands, and, most of all, making memories with the people he loved. Kenny was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Deep River, Iowa. His life was filled with hard work, perseverance, determination, and faith. He faced more than his fair share of trials and tribulations, yet through his faith in God, he continued to meet them with strength and grace. He taught us that hard times don’t define us—they shape us and show us what we are capable of.

But beyond his resilience, it was Kenny’s kindness and generosity that shined the brightest. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, offer a word of encouragement, or give of himself without ever expecting anything in return. And, of course, his one-liners were sure to leave you with a smile—or maybe even a good laugh. Kenny led with his heart, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him is better for having known him.

Left to honor his memory are his wife, Gayle; daughter, Mandy Jo (Chad) Dye; son, Bronson Dean; grandchildren, Caprice (Cody) Larson, Kennedy Dye, Mason Dye (Christine Santos), Abyl McCulley, and Emerie McCulley; great-grandchildren, Fletcher Reed Larson and Elliana Rae Santos Dye; five brothers, Jim (Valerie), Randy (Kathy), Andrew (Anne), John (Jane), and Tim (Brenda) McCulley; two sisters-in-law, Gloria (Steve) Leazer and Glenda (Chuck) Campbell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Barbara McCulley; his father- and mother-in-law, George and Glorene Weiss; his stepfather-in-law, Lloyd Klever; a special cousin, Betty Ann Snook; and nephews Matthew Ryan McCulley and Michael Blaine Lally.

Kenny’s life was one of hard work, perseverance, faith, and, above all, love for his family. He fought hard, loved deeply, and never gave up. While our hearts are broken by the loss of him, we are grateful for every extra day we were given with him and for the memories he leaves behind.

We will miss him more than words can say, but we find peace knowing that his fight is over, his body is healed, and he is finally home.