Ethan Zachery Dull
January 11, 1998–January 17, 2025
Ethan Zachery Dull, age 27, of Soldiers Grove, passed away Jan. 17, 2025, of pneumonia and sepsis. He was born Jan. 11, 1998, in Viroqua.
He was adopted into the Wade and Colleen (McCormick) Dull family in 2002. Ethan was a happy and inquisitive child who could often be found turning over rocks and logs in search of small creatures. He also enjoyed reading, fishing, camping, piano lessons and X-Box.
He was a life-long member of St. Philip Catholic Church in Rolling Ground, where he received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and will be buried in the church cemetery. He was also an altar server for many years.
He was a member of the North Clayton 4-H Club. He exhibited many items at the Crawford County Fair and won many awards.
Ethan attended North Crawford School, where he participated in band, sports, NC Playhouse, and National Honor Society. He loved to hang out with a great group of friends. He graduated with honors in 2016.
Besides helping on the family farm, he also worked at Old Oak Inn and Wisconsin River Outings.
Ethan realized he had depression and received professional help. In an effort to heal, he wrote an inspirational speech about overcoming depression. He was going to use it for a forensic competition. He wrote about having hope and finding your inner strength. Ethan described strength as admitting you’re wrong, doing deeds to make others feel better, making others’ lives easier, getting up after a fall, putting others’ needs before your own and believing in yourself.
Sadly, a severe episode of depression caused him to attempt to end his life on Feb. 19, 2016. With God’s help, his brothers, Uncle Mick, and the North Crawford Rescue Squad saved him. Community prayers helped him heal. The resulting brain injury damaged his physical abilities. Despite his condition, his kindness, wit, charm, curiosity, and intellect never ceased to shine, especially with his eyes.
After five months in three hospitals and two years in a brain injury center, Ethan came home in September of 2018. With the help of many caregivers and family, he worked hard to use his body to the best of his abilities, and he thrived. In July of 2024, Ethan moved to Orchard Manor in Lancaster. He continued therapy, was happy and well cared for. He loved to tease the staff. A few days after his 27th birthday, God sent his Angels to take him home.
Ethan is survived by his parents, Wade and Colleen Dull; his siblings, Caleb (Chasity) Dull of Wauzeka, Jesse Dull of Jackson, Ahern (Dani) Dull of Chicago, Ill., Bailey (Shane) DeRudder of Milton, Codie (Amy) Dull of Soldiers Grove, Brittany (Matt) McKee of Lansing, Iowa, Amberlea (Jason) Kaiser of Edgar, Katelyn (Jarrod) Shobert of Lansing, Iowa, and Liam Dull of Minnesota; his nieces and nephews, Henry, Leni, Ari, Alyssa, Bradon, Mallory, Keith, Maddi, Camden, Rorick, Jaxdon, Jezzy, George, and Marshall; many foster siblings; aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Ethan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Lola Dull and Mike and Jeanne McCormick; and his uncles, Clay Dull and Mick McCormick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Philip Catholic Church, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or any other mental health organization.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at St. Philip Catholic Church in Rolling Ground. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Ethan will be laid to rest at a later date at the church cemetery. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.
Special thanks to Christy from Inclusa; Clearview Brain Injury staff; the many in home caregivers; and the staff of Orchard Manor Nursing Home.
