Twylia Merida (Jones) Cullinan

Twylia Merida (Jones) Cullinan, 86, of Arthur, Nebr., died Sunday, June 5, 2016, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Twylia was born November 15, 1929, to John “Virgil” and Emma Rita (Carey) Jones in Ogallala, Nebraska. She grew up in Lemoyne and Ackley Valley on the Haythorn Ranch, attended high school in Ogallala, graduating from Ogallala High School in 1947.

In August of 1949, she was united in marriage to Joseph Cullinan. They made their home in eastern Arthur County at the family ranch.  

Twylia was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She spent the majority of her life serving others. Her time on the family ranch was spent working in the hayfield, serving as Postmaster of the Bucktail Post Office, preparing meals for her family and the local mailman, gardening, and raising her children. She was an active member of the Extension Club and 4-H Club, and served on the District 12J school board. When she moved to Arthur in 1993, she worked as a teacher’s aide and volunteered to review flash cards with elementary students. She also served as librarian at the Arthur County Library, assisted in the Arthur County Courthouse, and was a member of the Arthur Baptist Church. Twylia enjoyed doing puzzles and playing games, especially with her family, and was always up for a game of Yahtzee. But it was her love of family that shined above all else. The pictures on her walls, and mementos she kept leave no doubt as to what she considered most important in life.

Preceding her in death were her parents, one brother, Richard “Dick” Jones, and granddaughter DaNelle Daniels Dye.

Survivors include two sons: Barry J. Cullinan of Arthur and Blaine (Joanne) Cullinan of Ogallala; two daughters: Becky (Kirk) Swanson of Arthur and Brenda Cullinan of Kansas City, Missouri. Three grandsons: Hank (Janene) Swanson of Veblen, South Dakota, Tory (JoDawn) Swanson and Brandon Swanson, all of Arthur. Two granddaughters: Courtney (Drew) Tarwater of Osawatomie, Kansas and Alison Cullinan of Lincoln. Grandson-in-law Ryan Dye of Bucktail. Brother in-law Robert "Bob" (Louise) Cullinan of Sarben; and sister-in-law Helen "Honey" Dammann of McQueeney, Tex. Also Nine great-grandchildren: Sheridan, Brooklyn, and Carlie of South Dakota; Skyler, Landry, and Weston of Arthur; Jameson of Bucktail; and Emma and Hallie of Osawatomie, Kansas, and many nieces and nephews.

The family chose cremation. Memorial Services will be held Saturday June 11, 2016 at 2:00 MDT at the Arthur Baptist Church with Rev. Ben Keene officiating. The Service will be live streamed from drauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend. A memorial has been established to the Arthur Betterment Authority or to the Donor's Choice.  

Online condolences may be sent to webmaster@drauckerfh.com or by signing the Guest Book at www.drauckerfh.com.  Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

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