Charles Mullen Obituary

Hooray Hooray! It's the First of May!

Mr. & Mrs. Mullen, Bob, Rachel, and Derek...
I was so sorry to read in the Hoban Highlights about Mr. Mullen's passing. It was a special treat for me to have met him on several occasions during high school. And what a man! I remember his great pride shown after he bought a brand new Saturn (probably around 1992 or so?). And he always had a hearty laugh, big smile, and good story to share. He will be missed by all of you, but eternally pleased to know that his legacy is carried on through each of you.

From: Dennis Mullen
I posted this to my church blog on 11.16.06 - >My Grandpa Mullen died last Saturday morning, after 91 great, positive, optimistic years. He was a Christian and he was also blessed with good health up until the last two years, and even these last two were fairly good considering his age. Cindy and I went to Ohio in the early part of this week where I had the honor of doing his funeral.

I was close to my Grandpa and I feel like I knew him pretty well, but I found out this week that I didn’t know him outside the circle of our immediate family. But I found out that Grandpa had a wide-ranging and positive influence on a large group of people that I had either never met or didn’t know very well. Both at the funeral service and in the newspaper’s online guest book, people wrote moving tributes about my Grandpa and his optimism, positive spirit, and the encouragement he gave them. These tributes came from his nieces and nephews, people who lived next door to Grandma and Grandpa, people he worked with, people he worked ON (as a masseur) and other friends he met through the course of his long life.

In my own tribute to Grandpa, I said that he was absolutely the most positive person I had ever met, prone to excessive bragging on his grandkids and kids. Whenever I would see him, even during the last couple of years, a typical exchange would be: “Grandpa, how are you doing?” “Man, I’m doing so well, I don’t know how to handle it!” Or: “I am more blessed than anyone has a right to be.”

The Thanksgiving season seemed like the perfect time of year to pay tribute to a guy like my Grandpa. After all, Christians ought to be much more like him than we are. I should be much more like him than I am. So with all our blessings and faith, why is it easier sometimes to see the negative things about life? Why do optimism and thanksgiving come so hard, at least for some folks like me?

Born in a time foreign to me, he came of age in an era of upheaval and uncertainty. He was raised on stories of the First great-war, during a time when the country was growing by leaps and bounds and approaching a very dark period of soup lines and joblessness. This is a life I’ve never known and have only caught glimpses through the tales of others.

He was a tender fourteen when Black Tuesday ushered in a period so terrible, discouraging and tenacious that only the Second great-war would bring it to an end. Dad had dropped out of school by that time worked as he could to help the family.

Three years into the Great Depression, a desperate nation gave FDR a landslide victory. The Civilian Conservation Corps was instituted during the first “Hundred Days”. That same year, he started the Fireside Chats. Both had a profound effect on dad. He never tired of telling us of both. The Fireside Chats delivered encouragement. The CCC delivered hope by enlisting thousands of unemployed youth to combat the problem of soil erosion and declining timber. They were eventually credited with planting three billion trees. Dad signed onto the CCC effort and headed west. These were the years and events that brought him to manhood.

He was married and just above draft age when we knew that we would become entangled in the war. Driven by his commitments and beliefs, he enlisted in the Army. He became a combat medic and served with the 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion in the Northeast Europe Campaign. I can’t imagine the terrors of combat—daily seeing and facing death. Dad didn’t talk of the war for a good twenty years. When he did start, he told us of acts of kindness of both civilians and combatants. Later, we started to hear some of the grimmer tales. How these events must have shaped these members of the Greatest Generation. These men and women changed our society after the war. They went to college in record numbers, spearheaded businesses and became an energetic and productive force in all facets of our society. These few years in combat affected them for life.

Dad’s path wasn’t through college or as a captain of business. Rather he trained to become a masseur and also became a rubber worker. He worked both of those jobs until he retired at 65. Retirement ended up just meaning that he no longer made tires. Massage was his devotion until his first stroke at 89.

His optimism and continual encouragement affected hundreds. During the funeral service many of these people, young and old, told of his bright and encouraging spirit. Gads (one of his favorite expressions), what an example for all of us to follow.

Bye dad.

To all the family of Herman and Mary Mullen,

My sorrow in hearing, by letter from my brother and his wife (Ed and Glenna Rose), about the great loss your family has experienced has left me at a loss for words.
I am so sorry.

Mary, Freddy, and Don, the love your husband and father exemplifies holds a fond place in my memory, and is surely a comfort, and a blessing to you all as well.

Love in Christ Jesus,
Maxine

P.S. - I think that this may not be the time for you to do this but if you would like to catch up on the years that have gone by, I would love to hear from you anytime.

My address is:
Maxine B. Dodd
2204 Pontiac Drive
Arlington, Texas 76013
Phone: 817-274-2714

I will be praying for you. God bless you.

P.P.S. - I live with my youngest daughter, Cara, and her husband, David, a pastor-teacher in our home church here in Arlington and if there is any way we can be of help, please don't hesitate to ask.

Dear Mullen Family, We want to offer our deepest sympathy of the passing of Uncle Charles. He was a wonderful person,and has a wonderful family. I will miss him.
Love to all of you (Carol Ann)

Dear Don

Thanks for sending Tom and me your kind note. Our dad thought the world of your father…there never seemed to be enough that we could do for Chick to repay his friendship. Chick was a classic example of perserverance, dignity and how a man should live his life. We are all better people for having had the privilege of his wisdom, humor and outlook on the world. Please extend our sincere condolences to the rest of your family. I’ll make sure my mom and Tom know that you sent the note.

Kind regards

David Bierce and family

I only knew my uncle Herman for a short time, but he made a profound impact in my life. He was a wonderful man. I pray for him and for the entire Mullen family.

Don and Karen: We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Don's father. Please know our thoughts are with you at this time.

Don & Karen,
We are very sorry to hear of your great loss. Although we never had the opportunity to meet your Father, reading the comments of others presents quite a picture of a man who loved life, his family and lived each day with happiness.

His physical existance is gone, but he has left memories to those that knew him that nobody can ever take away.

Don, Karen, and family,
I just got back in the country and was so sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Herman-what a wonderful man! I can't remember a time when I didn't love him. As a child growing up in Charleston, going to Akron to visit family was always so special. Going to your home and having Aunt Mary make her famous spaghetti and Uncle Herman tell us his wonderful stories will always remain a special memory in my life. They always cherished their family and made everyone feel so special. I so appreciate your dad keeping my mom informed of important events in the family. His phone calls were his special way of keeping the Charleston branch of the family in touch with the Akron branch. I am so glad I got to spend time with Uncle Herman and Aunt Mary this past summer-they always inspired everyone around them to be the best that they could be. To me, time had frozen for them-Aunt Mary was rushing around making sure that everyone had eaten and Uncle Herman was telling us wonderful family stories. My dad, your dad's brother, was always so proud of his little brother. I am so sorry for your loss and it hurts me that I wasn't able to come to give my final respect to him. Please tell Aunt Mary I love her. Our love to you all and I hope to be able to see you soon.
Debbie(Mullen)Miller and Dan

It was my great pleasure to have met and interviewed your loved one for my column. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

To: The Mullen Family

I heard about your loss over the weekend - please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Grandma Mullen (Mary), Don, Karen, Rachel, Derek, Bob, and Theresa:


I am deeply sorry for your loss. In many ways, I always felt that Grandpa Mullen “Chick” was a surrogate grandfather to me, as both my grandfathers had died when I was six. I especially loved to hear his war stories- stories which exemplified his strong character, his love for life and his bravery. Grandpa Mullen will always be for me the definition of a man; someone that made you a better person in knowing him; someone that made you think of the world in a positive light. Although, I had not seen him in recent years, I will always remember him fondly and will be forever thankful for knowing him.

God bless you Grandpa Mullen, and your family, which carries your light of life.

Joey Bauer and the Bauer Family

Don,
Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Mike,Debbie & Bill O'Donnell

Our Deepest Sympathy.

Dear Don,

Please accept my deepest sympathy. You are so blessed to have had your father in your life for so many years.

Don, Karen and family. Our deepest sympathy - was out of the country and did not know of your Dad's death. You are in our prayers.
Jane and John Huffman

Dear Don and the Mullen family,

On behalf of the Canal Square YMCA and myself, you have our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. He will always remain in my mind as one of the real assets of our YMCA. HE will be truly missed.

Dick Zaveson
Gold Membership Director
Canal Square YMCA

Dear Don & Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Margie Ellison, (Former co-worker from the IRS)

Don & Karen,

My family and I are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Don and Karen,

Joe and I would like to express our deepest sympathy on your loss. We know that he will be missed by you.

Mary, Fred, Don,
I wish I could be there. It's so sad to think of Uncle Herman being gone. He always seemed to love life and had the greatest laugh - you had to laugh along at whatever was funny to him.
I also remember how thoughtful he was. Whenever I visited him in Akron he would check me over and fix anything that was screwed up. He really was good at it, too.
Please accept my best wishes in what I know is a very sad time for you. I hope to see you one of these days.
All the best,
Joe

Dear Don, Karen, and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to the whole Mullen family. We know how much you will miss him. Since we have moved to Ohio, you have become our second family. We have fond memories of the many holidy gatherings with you and Mr. Mullen. He was ever cheerful and was always quick to exchange a joke. He was a fine example of a father for you and your children. We will miss him and will keep a special place in our heart reserved just for him.

Dear Don and Karen- We are very sorry to hear that your dad passed away. From all that we know he was a wonderful man and his attitude will live in his children and grandchildren. We are sorry also that we were not here at the time.
Your friends Maria and George

Dear Mullen Family,
We are thinking of you with deepest sympathy and you are in our prayers.
Fondly,
Patty, Diney, Mary, and John Graves

DON, KAREN;
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, AFTER READING THE OBITS, I CAN SEE WHERE DON GETS HIS GREAT CHARACTER FROM. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. (TMAN)

Dear Don, Karen, Bob, Rachel and Derek:
I meet Charles in Christmas 1986, his gentleness made me feel part of your family, just when I was missing mine.

Dear Don & Karen
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You all will be in our prayers.

love John & Peggy Thursby

For twenty years I have known you and you were always a grandfather to me also. You zest for life and optimism was infectious. I will always remember your wonderful stories and I continue to laugh as hard. The boys loved seeing you on each visit. Joey will remember you so fondly as he shares your birthday and remembers your personality. Anthony was blessed to have known you. Thank you for your grace, love, gentle spirit, wisdom and strength. I am proud to have known you and will continue to remember and celebrate your life each day.

Over the rest of my life, I will remember a man who was very good to his wife and family. I will remember a man who struggled through the Depression, but who never became bitter from the experience. I will think of the man who left his family to fight in a war but instead found a way to heal the wounded and sick. I will also remember the optimist who was always looking to change the mind of a doubting Thomas.

I will remember my Grandpa, and be a better person because of him. What a great life. We can only hope to live one like my Grandpa's!

Love always, Rowbeeeeert, Theresa and the boys.

Mary, Don, Karen and Family:
The world has lost one of its true gentlemen. I've never met a man with such kindness, generosity of spirt and zest for life, He always made me laugh. I hold fond memories of him in my heart. God bless you all with peace and comfort.

Dear Don, Karen & family,

We are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We will keep you all in our prayers.

Dear Don & Karen;
Thanks for advising us of your Father's death. What an interesting & full life he had & we know you & Karen will miss him tremendously. Mayme & I extend our deepest sympathy
Ben

I loved Grandpa very deeply. I loved the way he loved Grandma and his boys. I loved his cheerful optimism and encouragement. I loved staying with him and with his mom when I was a kid. I loved spending Saturday nights with him when I was in college. I loved watching him help with projects on the farm whenever he would come to visit. I loved visiting him at the Athletic Club at the Y with my dad. I loved visiting him at the University Club. The smell of rubbing alcohol immediately makes me think of him at work. I loved his playful phone calls on the First of May. I loved the way he loved my wife and children, and affirmed me constantly as a husband and father. And I loved, more than I can describe, the last, long visit I had with him last summer, in which I think we got to know each other more deeply than ever before. I love Grandpa and will always look forward to seeing him again.

We lived next door to Chick and Mary when we were newlyweds on Russell Avenue. We loved that couple from day one! Our dog, "Goofy", made the Mullens' porch her second home. We shared many livingroom conversations and scrumptious homemade snacks -- and had our necks cracked a few times by Chick's expert hands. Chick's wisdom and encouragement spurred my husband to go to college at age 28 and get into the teaching field! Chick was an inspiration to us because of his optimism, his focus on good health, and his love for Mary. We have remained in touch and he most recently sent us his 60th wedding anniversary announcement with great pride! He touched many lives and we are grateful to be counted among them.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I've known four people all my life: my mother, my father, Mary and the man I knew as "Herman". Everyone else knew him as "Charlie" or "Chick", but I knew him as "Herman". I never knew why.

My mother and Mary shared a maternity room together. Don and I shared the first twenty years of our lives together.

My first real vacation was taken with the Mullens to Atlantic City. The one thing that I learned on that vacation was that vacation meant to try everything and do everything you can while you can, because yesterday will never happen again. Herman taught me that. I've taught my children that.

He also taught me to do things with my kids. Make time even if you have two jobs, and Herman always had two jobs. But, he always had time for a Crosley or football or little league or the building of a soap box derby car.

Herman, I'll miss you.

Stevie

Grandpa, Thanks for being such an amazing person and great role model. Wish I could be there in person to say goodbye. Your grandson... (Malawi)

Don, Karen, and families,

Am sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. He was such a nice man and seemed to enjoy life to the fullest. There is an old Russian proverb which simply states that we live as long as we are remembered. Your Dad will live on in your hearts and your stories for many years to come. We will be thinking of you all at this most difficult time. Our condolences.

Dear Don & family,
So sorry to read of your father's passing. He led quite an interesting life. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless

Gads man! What a life! You were the world's best Grandpa! Your positive attitude was always so encouraging.
I will try to make you proud everyday!

He called me "The Man", but I have never met a more admirable man than him. I am honored to call him Grandpa. From the moment I met Grandpa, he met me feel a welcome part of his family. His easy going attitude, sense of humor, and appreciation for his wife and family has taught me how to appreciate my own life and loved ones more. For that, and his unconditional friendship and love, I will be eternally grateful. Rest in peace Grandpa.

I will miss my Great Grandpa. He was funny and always make a funny expression when I would kiss his cheak.

One of my favorite people in the world, and the only Grandfather I knew. Will forever cherish his love, sence of humor, and helpful hand.

Sympathies and gratitude for having had a chance to share time with Mr. Mullen

My deepest sympathies