(Posted Sept. 2, 2022)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The Madison-Plains Local School District is mourning the loss of teacher and band director Dan McCulloch who passed away the morning of Sept. 1 as the result of a single-car traffic accident.
McCulloch, 37, had just started his second year at Madison-Plains. He taught music classes for grades 9-12 and directed the high school’s marching band and concert band.
“Despite the fact that he had only been here for a year, Dan’s care and concern for our students, as well as his gentle disposition, really won over our students,” said Madison-Plains Superintendent Chad Eisler on Sept. 2. “They had developed a strong bond with him. Our students and our staff are really hurting today.”
School counselors were available to talk with students and staff on Sept. 1. Five grief counselors with the Madison County Crisis Response Team were available to students and staff on Sept. 2.
“We will work to get through the coming days together,” Eisler said.
In a Facebook post to the school community, Eisler described McCulloch as a “wonderful teacher and valued member” of the district.
“In the year that I’ve had the opportunity to know Dan, it became clear to me he had three great loves: his family, his Houston Astros, and the marching band,” Eisler said.
In addition to his time at Madison-Plains, McCulloch served as a teacher at the Vanlue and Ridgemont local school districts. He graduated from IH Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas. In 2014, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University where he played trombone in the marching band.
McCulloch was the son of Timothy A. (Sharon) McCulloch and the late Cynthia A. Brown. He is survived by his grandmother, Vergetta Allebach of Upper Sandusky, his sister, Leanne (Benjamin) Blankenship, of Upper Sandusky, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Bringman Clark Funeral Home, 226 E. Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Madison-Plains High School Band Program, 55 Linson Rd., London, OH 43140.
