Cullen E. Birdsell

Cullen E. Birdsell, 70, of Springfield, formerly of Taylorville, died Friday, March 28, 2008, in Memorial Medical Center, after a courageous 10-month battle with cancer. 

He was born May 22, 1937, in Jacksonville, the son of Howard and Armeada Birdsell. He marrried Sandra Fabbri on June 23, 1957, in Taylorville. He had served as president and board member of Taylorville Chamber of Commerce and Taylorville Country Club. He was a past member of American Business Club, Kiwanis Club, Illini Country Club, Sangamo Club and past board member of LPGA Rail Golf Classic. He was active in Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Springfield Home Builders Association. He enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and golfing and was an avid boater at Lake of the Ozarks. He was of the Catholic faith. 

Surviving are his wife; son, Brad Cullen (wife Robin Ann) Birdsell of Orlando, FL; grandchildren: Kacey Suzanne Birdsell and Jeffrey Brad Birdsell, both of Orlando, FL; sisters: Arlene Oates of Cloverdale, IN, and Ruth Bower of Taylorville; brother, Alan (wife Barbara) Birdsell of Buckeye, AZ; sisters-in-law: Linda (husband Will) Seidel and Shirley (husband Rich) Shaw, both of Taylorville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Taylorville, with Father Alan Hunter officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, in Shafer Funeral Home.