Donald McCulloch

Donald (Don) McCulloch, age 84, longtime resident of Northville, passed away on October 1, 2025. He was born on June 23, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; son of Dugald and Myrtle (Marks) McCulloch. Don attended Port Huron High School through his junior year before moving to Trenton, New Jersey, where he graduated with the Hamilton High School Class of 1959. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in education from Michigan State University, which is where he met the love of his life, Dianne Stephen. They were united in marriage on August 31, 1963, and spent 62 years devoted to one another.

Don began his career as an elementary school teacher in Washington, D.C., where he taught for one year before transitioning into the field of data processing during the rise of mainframe computing in the 1960s. He went on to build a long and successful career as a systems analyst with Bendix in Maryland before transferring to Michigan in 1972. He later retired from Honeywell in 1999.

Don was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Northville for many years. An avid reader and passionate book collector, Don loved finding books to share with family and friends. He volunteered at the Northville Public Library’s used Book Cellar and later turned his love of books into a business when he and Dianne owned the Northville Book Exchange on East Main Street. Don and Dianne loved to travel the country, living out of a travel trailer after college graduation and resuming their adventures upon retirement, traveling in their RV to visit with family and friends. When at home, Don enjoyed relaxing in his favorite recliner, often with a game on the television, as he was a fan of college sports — especially Michigan State.

Don was a devoted father and grandfather, always supporting his children and grandchildren in their activities. He coached his sons’ soccer, basketball, and baseball teams and spent countless hours traveling with the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps. In later years, he cherished reading books to his young grandchildren and, as they grew older, watching them compete in sports and perform in music concerts. He was also a masterful storyteller, captivating and entertaining family and friends with unpredictable stories that twisted and turned in fine detail. Don will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Dianne McCulloch; his sons, Jim (Sheri) McCulloch, Ric (Marci) McCulloch, Will (Rose) McCulloch, and Dave (Nicole) McCulloch; his brothers, Dugald (Carol) McCulloch, and Ronald (Phyllis) McCulloch; his grandchildren, Mallori McCulloch, Kyle McCulloch, Owen McCulloch, Stephen McCulloch, Brenly (Sierra) McCulloch, Nyela (Tyler) Esparza, John Tugcu, Cameron McCulloch, Alex McCulloch, and Elle McCulloch; his great grandchildren, Malachi, Melody, and Jayden; his brothers-in-law, James Hammond and Roger (JoAnn Gish) Stephen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Nancy Hammond.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 10, 2025 at Noon with a Time of Gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Main Street, Northville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to Detroit PBS, 48325 Alpha Drive, Suite 150, Wixom, MI 48393, Friends of the Northville District Library, 212 West Cady, Northville, MI 48167, or to First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167.