George W. Mullen
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George W. Mullen, 83, of Parkesburg, passed away on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at the Neighborhood Hospice Center of West Chester, with his beloved family members by his side.
George was one of America's finest patriots and veteran advocates, as both a World War II veteran and VFW state leader.
George was the beloved husband of Dawn E. (Bailey) Mullen, with whom he shared 29 years of marriage. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jane Ann Mullen and Shirley Rigoroso, both of Parkesburg; fourteen beloved nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by three siblings, Robert Mullen, Lillian Mowrey and Barbara Mullen.
Born in his Parkesburg family home on Thursday, July 29, 1926, he was the son of the late Samuel and Latisha Booth Mullen
As the age of 17, George enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and served aboard the merchant ship SS Ben Holt and the USS Cotten in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. His military duty included serving off of the Normandy coast helping to supply troops after D-Day, helping to rescue a downed American pilot and supporting the invasion of Okinawa. His Destroyer was part of the Allied flotilla that entered Tokyo Bay in 1945 after the atomic bombs were dropped as part of the ceremonies to end the War against Japan. His service days ended as a Seaman 1st Class in 1946. After the war, he spent two years in a veterans' hospital recovering from tuberculosis.
Mullen joined the VFW in 1946 and served the organization at all levels. He was Commander of the Parkesburg Post 4480 for three terms of office, Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Chester County during 1951 - 53, and Commander of the VFW's 9th District during 1969 - 70. He earned the distinction of All-State District Commander and All American District Commander.
George served as State Adjutant of the Dept. of Pennsylvania, Veterans of Foreign Wars under 17 Department Commanders until he retired January 6, 1995, and during a second stint from 2000 - 2005. As VFW State Adjutant, he served on the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council and Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission. He was well known by state and national officials and politicians, who recognized him for fighting for what was in veterans' best interests.
Mullen helped lead the VFW's efforts to expand veterans healthcare programs to increase veterans benefits at the state and federal level. He was recognized by the National VFW offices as one of the organization's best veterans' advocates and for his outstanding leadership in guiding the headquarters of the nation's largest state unit in the VFW.
Prior to his career as VFW State Adjutant, George worked for 35 years at the VA Medical Center, Coatesville, where he served as Chief of Recreation.
Mullen received numerous awards for service to veterans and community. His hometown VFW Post awarded him two outstanding service medals in 1975 and again in 1979. The VA presented him with performance awards in 1968, 69, and 76. He was also recognized by the borough of Parkesburg with a George Mullen Day on Nov. 9 1975.
In other activities, he has been a member of the Chairman of Parkesburg Recreation Board, a member of the Parkesburg Civil Service Committee, and a member of the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.
He attended the Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, and was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He served as president of the advisory council of Southeastern Veterans Home in Spring City up until his death.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 603 2nd Ave., Parkesburg.
Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing on Friday evening from 6 until 9 p.m. at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St., Parkesburg and again on Saturday morning from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Consolation Church.
Interment will be held on a separate day at the Indiantown Gap National Military Cemetery.
Annually, five local students who enter the military or nursing field receive the “George W. Mullen Scholarship” founded in his honor by the Parkesburg VFW Post 4480. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the “George W. Mullen Scholarship Fund”, VFW Post 4480, Parkesburg, PA 19365, or to the “Voice of Democracy” C/O John Getz, 4002 Fenton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109, or to the Neighborhood Hospice Services, 400 East Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380.
Online condolences can be respectfully posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
George W. "Peanut" Mullen
Parkesburg has lost a true hero and a leader. The annual Memorial Day Parade is "Peanut's" Memorial Day Parade. We will all miss him, his smile and his laughter! Since the parade was so special to him, perhaps something like a riderless horse should be included in this year's parade! Rest In Peace, Peanut! Jack
Condolences
"Peanut Mullen" was a household name in Parkesburg, no doubt about it!!
As one of the many kids growing up on Front Street (Parkesburg) we all knew him as--"Peanut"! We didn't know him by another other name back then. Many a day we would go over to the old ball diamond, (which is now part of Minch Park) and that's where we would see him. He always seemed to take a special liking to "Buckum London". Not that he (George) treated the rest of us any differently. But Buckum was his pick--and that was because he was a good baseball player. George liked that in him and saw potential there.
Many years later (after growing up) I would see him from time to time at the VA, where we worked; or, the Post Office in Parkesburg. I would speak and he would say, "how ya' doin" ? (with a smile, of course).
George was a "people person" and always made himself available to all veterans. His passing is a true loss to veteran advocacy....leaving at task a hard "act to follow".
To Dawn and family,George was truly respected by many many people and will certainly be missed. A good man! God bless you, and his memory.
Bonnie Harris Dickinson
My sincere sympathies
Dear Dawn: It was with a deep sense of regret that I read of the passing of my very dear friend, George. I was honored to serve with him as the Adjutant of the American Legion and together we fought for many veterans benefits. He was a very dear and close friend and I shall miss his smile and laughter. Please accept my sincere sympathy and may God Bless You.
You will be missed
Peanut - you will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in Peace our friend. I think a Riderless Horse is beautiful. You were always be one of my moms best friends and co-worker at the VA Hospital. Thoughts and Prayers to the Rigorosa Family and all other family members.
We will miss George' leadership
My condolences to the family of George. George will be surely missed as the President of the Southeastern Veteran's Center Advisory Board. My prayers are with especially Dawn.
He is in a Better Place
We know our words cannot take away your loss but we hope that our caring will give you strength.
Sincerely, VFW District 16, Montgomery County
George (peanut) Mullen
To the Mullen and Rigorosa Family. Our condolences go out to all of you. Peanut will be missed but never forgotten for all the good he did in this world.
Judy & Bill Fisher
God Speed and Semper Fidelis
God Speed George.
Please accept our deepest
Please accept our deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time.
George W. Mullen
You have our deepest sympathy. George was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by te VFW and everyone that knew him. We are sorry that we can't be there as we are in Albuquerque, NM. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Dawn, We were very sad
Dear Dawn,
We were very sad to hear about George's passing. He was a great person, and a treasure in the Parkesburg community.
George was truly a great
George was truly a great patriot who was an unequaled advocate for all veterans. His caring service was never ending and was an inspiration to me. I shall miss him greatly, but I consider myself a better person for having known and served on veterans organizations with George. Jim Brokenshire
George Mullen VFW Brother and friend
Dawn and Family, George was always there for us as we went through the chairs of the VFW. We were honored to have known him and want to thank you and the family for sharing him with us. Our prayers are with you in this time of mourning and be assured that the good Lord will be with all of you as George will be honored and laid to rest. Good by to our brother and friend. John and Sandy
An Honorable and Respected
An Honorable and Respected Man....Fare You Well Uncle Peanut.
George Mullen will be missed
I was very saddaned to hear about the passing of George Mullen. George was certainly an outstanding American patriot and a key person for many years in the Pennsylvania Veterans' of Foreign Wars. As a former athletic director and coach at Scotland School for Veterans' Children I will always remember George as the man we could count on for continous support at Scotland. George and the many VFW members should be extrememly proud of the generous financial for the children at Scotland, but even more so for the "actual time" they spent with the students/athletes at SSVC. George Mullen was a prime leader of this support for most of his life and will be remembered for his genuine caring, a true American.
Ralph N. Dusman - Scotland Staff Member - 1967-2005
George "Peanut" W. Mullen - Devoted Service Man
First, my condolences to Dawn on her loss. George not only meant the world to you...He meant the world to those he served as a Veteran and Friend with Allegiance or Alliance towards as a steward of God's Will.
What I recollect most from working at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans' Center (SEVC) in Spring, City, Pennsylvania was when working with Dawn in the Activities Department...the first time I met George and seen him in Action. He had a Heart of Honor filled with Gold towards those Veterans. He was a Caring Man that even reached out to the younger generation. When I seen Peanut with Dawn...there was a magic that made their Life Blissful... full of Blessings. Peanut not only was a Devoted
Service Man as a Veteran...he was a Devoted Husband. You are in my prayers Dawn. I know that he is in good company with the Best Commander of All.
Second, to the Veteran Community...you lost a great friend. I know that it is due to the laudable efforts of Peanut that Veterans throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout this Nation got Respect owed for service. George left a Legacy for future Veterans. When one looks back at his Life...it is a Masterpiece.
Lastly, Peanut did inspire me. I'll never forget his wisdom and friendship. The fact is that Peanut is a tresured and precious jewel taken from those His Life Gave of Service. Note that Peanut will always be of Service from a Better Vantage Point. May God Bless His Memory Always !Thanks for the Memories Peanut !
Dawn, Just wanted you to know
Dawn,
Just wanted you to know we have been thinking of you and your loss. We enjoyed seeing both of you at Country Gardens on Tuesday nights, he will be missed.
Debbie & Mike Fisher, Country Gardens Restaurant.