MILDRED G. MULLENDORE

Mildred G. "Millie" Mullendore went to be with her Lord and Savior at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008. She had been active in all respects until only a few weeks ago. Born on the family farm in Aboite Township, Allen County, Indiana on January 30, 1921, she was the eldest daughter of Charles P. and Lyda Belle Wagner. Her formative years were spent on the family farm on State Road 14, and she attended the Harper School and graduated with the class of 1939 from Arcola High School where she was a letterman on the girls' basketball team which won the Allen County Championship title four years in a row. An avid athlete and outdoors woman, she loved the game of golf and played with a passion. Her natural talent lent itself to the winning of numerous trophies and tournament wins in the summer months, while during the fall and winter seasons she bowled with the same enthusiasm, garnering again many women's team league championships at Schuman's Lanes with her team "Hits and Mrs." She was the overall women's singles city champion in 1975. Eager to conquer new challenges, she learned to fly from noted World War II Women's Air Corps pilot Margaret (Ray) Ringenberger, and soloed in a Piper Cub airplane in the skies above Smith Field in Fort Wayne, receiving her private pilot's license on August 12, 1945. On a trans-Atlantic flight to Europe in 1953 she was invited to the cockpit by the pilot to witness one of God's miracles- the sunrise at 20,000 feet. During that same European Tour, she told of "hopping across" a crevasse in the Alps, but always warned her children against such dangerous acts! On December 10, 1947 she married then County Auditor Stanley S. Mullendore, also an avid golfer and licensed pilot, in Goshen, Indiana, with the Reverend Donald Bailey officiating. They first made their home in Columbia City, then moved to the home that Stanley and she designed and built on Crooked lake in Noble County. They spent many hours enjoying golfing and flying together and celebrated 55 years of marriage before Stanley's death in January, 2002. She "grounded" herself with the birth of their children Jayne and Jeff, and she also retired at that time from her position of 15 years at the Weatherhead Company. She attended the Bowser Free Methodist Church in Fort Wayne until she became a member of the now Columbia City United Methodist Church in 1939 when she came to Columbia City after graduation. She was a faithful member of her Sunday School Class and the Tuesday Morning Bible Study, and could always be counted upon to assist with the Vacation Bible School in the crafts room. Her love of people made her a constant presence at local nursing homes and health-care facilities in the area where she lovingly shared her care, concern, and happiness for over 40 years. For her dedication to making others happy and remembered she was named a "Heart of Gold" recipient in 2006. Her trademark hair-style made her recognizable to many, many people over the years, whether at the Whitley County Hospital where Mr. Mullendore was Administrator from 1951-1968 or at Mullendore's Broasted Chicken on South Main Street from 1968-1982. She had an engaging personality, a delightful smile, and a loving heart which will be sadly missed by her beloved family and friends alike. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, Stanley Mullendore, infant daughter, Amy Lou Mullendore, infant son, Vincent Mullendore, and by brother, Raymond LaVern Wagner. She is survived by her daughter, Jayne (Danny) Oliver of Columbia City, son, Jeffrey L. Mullendore of Crooked Lake, grandchildren, Aaron (Misty) Oliver, Joseph Oliver, Danielle Oliver, and Drew Mullendore of Columbia City, and Emma Mullendore of Warsaw. Also surviving are sisters, Carol (Robert) Selzer and Donnabelle (Laurel) Taylor of Fort Wayne and sister-in-law, LeEtta Wagner of Columbia City. Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Arnold of Columbia City United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at Sandbank Cemetery, Jefferson Chapel in Jefferson Township. Preferred memorials are to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home of N.E. Indiana or to the Columbia City United Methodist Church's Building Fund. To send family condolences or sign the guest register book, please visit www.demoneygrimes.comClick here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.