Helen Cullison

Helen Louise Cullison (nee Hagen), formerly of Akron, died in Erlanger, KY December 29, 2013 at the age of 92. For many years, she was the president of the Akron Area League of Women Voters, where she arranged and moderated numerous candidates’ forums, which were frequently televised in Akron. She taught American Government at Copley (Ohio) High School for 17 years. Her annual lecture on civil liberties was so well respected the school administration turned it into an assembly so the entire school could be involved. She was the faculty advisor to the student newspaper, the Copley Circle. Several of her students went on to careers in journalism. In 1999, she was awarded the Judith Resnik Pioneer Award by the Women’s History Project for “a woman who has paved the way for others to follow.” While in college, she was the second female editor of Akron University’s newspaper, the Buchtelite. She met her husband Art while both were working on the paper. They wed in 1942, while Art was on a weekend pass from the US Army Air Corps. He shipped out to Africa one month later. Art and Helen Louise shared a room in a nursing home in 2012, the last year of his life. Helen Louise survived her parents, Hans and Adeline Hagen and her brother Robert. She leaves her sister in law Keta Hagen of Phoenix, her brother Bruce (Joan) Hagen of Brecksville, two sons Richard (Veronica) Cullison of Fort Mitchell, and Robert Cullison of Hopkins, MN; grandchildren Robert (Renee) Cullison junior of Copley OH, Steven (Lisa) Cullison, Jeffrey (Carrie) Cullison of Minneapolis, Andrew (Sarah) Cullison of Fredonia, NY, Rachael (Zachary) Fait of Fort Mitchell, and four great grand-sons. Visitation will be at the Billow funeral home 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron OH from 1-2 PM Saturday, January 18, 2014. A memorial ceremony will follow. Contributions may be given to the Akron Area League of Women Voters 380 Mull Ave. Akron, OH 44320, or Summit County United Way 90 N. Prospect St. Akron, OH 44304-1273. Online condolences can be made at www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.