M. Jean Mullen

With a journey that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Jean Mullen lived life to the fullest each day while holding her loved ones near. Her selfless spirit was easy to see, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. Jean was thrilled beyond measure to witness her family tree blossom to include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Life was not without times of trial for her, but she faced whatever came her way with both grace and strength. Deeply loved, Jean leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The Roaring Twenties were an exciting time in America, but the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was covered by the dark cloud of the Great Depression. Jobs were difficult to find, the unemployment rate soared, and countless American families found themselves without homes and desperately seeking work wherever they could hope to find it. Despite the trials around them, Ralph and Cecilia A. (Troutman) Meinika were able to shift their focus to a time of joy as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as fall appeared on the horizon in Whitley County, Indiana, in 1934. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Mildred Jean drew her first breath on September 12th on the family farm in Washington Township of Whitely County. A young girl of her generation, she enjoyed reading and fortunate that she did not have a lot of chores on the family farm.

As a student, Jean attended local schools including Washington Center High School. It was while there that she met the young man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Lyle R. Michel, and they remained in touch as he was called to serve during the Korean War. With his military duties fulfilled, Lyle returned home and told his sweetheart that they would get married once she turned 19. This came to fruition after Jean graduated from Washington Center High School in 1952 when Jean and Lyle exchanged their vows on September 19, 1954. The newlyweds purchased a farm that was just within a few miles of her parents farm.

Together Jean and Lyle welcomed five children including Dan, Diane, Barbara, Darlene, and Susan into their hearts and home. She was able to focus her time and attention on caring for her home and family while Lyle supported the family through his work. Jean was an amazing cook who always made the best home cooked meals. Most of her meals included fresh vegetables from the garden she tended to, and what they werent eating fresh they were able to enjoy all year as Jean spent a lot of time canning as well. They also had chickens on the farm, and Jean was often the one to clean them up. On July 28, 1976, Jean was deeply saddened with the passing of her beloved husband.

A bit later, Jean married Maurice Frieden on September 9, 1978, and together they lived on the farm. She again mourned the loss of her husband with Maurices death on February 2, 1984. Jean married for a third time on November 28, 1987, when she became Mrs. Richard Mullen. She moved to his home in Upland. After Richard passed on May 13, 1997, Jean moved into South Whitley where she remained until two years ago when she moved to Millers Merry Manor in Columbia City due to declining health.

In addition to caring for her family, Jean kept busy in other ways as well. She enjoyed shopping, reading, going out for dinner, and listening to country music. Within her community, Jean was a member of Washington Township Homemakers and Washington Center United Methodist Church. As much as she enjoyed these things, she loved nothing more than being surrounded by the love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.A kindhearted, gracious, and genuine woman, Jean Mullen was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She lived to love her family, and she considered it both her highest calling and her richest reward to tend to the needs of her husband and children. Life will never be the same without Jean here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

M. Jean Mullen, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Millers Merry Manor, Columbia City. Jeans family includes her son, Dan (Deb) Michel of South Whitley; daughters, Diane Fulk of Columbia City, Barbara (Garry) Thornell of Gas City, Darlene Michel of Ft. Wayne and Susan (Ken) Michel Patterson of Hanover; brother, Richard Meinika of Fort Wayne; companion of 17 years, Chuck Porter of North Webster; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her husbands, Lyle R. Michel, Maurice Frieden, and Richard Mullen; infant brother, Ralph Meinika, Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Karis Bolinger.

Visitation is from 2-8 p.m., Monday, March 7, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Washington Center United Methodist Church or Millers Merry Manor towards their activities department.