Obituaries
Obituary for Orville (Orv) Mullen
Orville (Orv) Mullen
Peoria- Orville Mullen, not someone who took the easy path, after a lengthy struggle, Orv Mullen joined his lovely wife Terry on 24 January 2017, just 2 days short of his 98th birthday.
Orv was born in Hardin, MT, St. Xavier’s Mission, to William James and Alpha Gibson Mullen, on January 26, 1919. His family later settled in Chicago, where his parents each died separately, leaving him as an orphan at the age of seven during the Great Depression. Growing up, first in a Catholic orphanage and later in a foster home he learned many of life lessons that became part of the core values that served him well during the balance of his long life. Regrettably, this also included a life-long devotion to the Chicago Cubs, which taught Orv how to accept defeat when victory seemed certain. These lessons, together with his natural intelligence, quick smile, positive attitude, and dependability would serve him well in the decades that followed.
Having earned his way through high school, Orv lived in the Chicago YMCA while he worked at one of the few jobs available in depression-era America. A serendipitous decision to attend a YMCA sponsored dance led to meeting a young beauty, Terry Yager, who captured his heart and later became his wife. Orv and Terry were married over 72 years before Terry passed in 2014. They had three children: Craig, Kathy and Nancy.
Orv joined the U.S. Army just prior to World War II, moving through the enlisted ranks to become a young officer once war was declared. Orv served in North Africa and the Italian Campaign as a front line transport officer commanding a truck company moving troops and supplies to the frontlines. Coming under enemy fire on the beaches of Anzio, entering Rome during its capture, and supporting the continued push of the enemy north through the mountains of central Italy, Orv completing his war duty in Northern Italy in 1945. Like most of our Greatest Generation, Orv did not talk openly of his wartime experiences, but opened up in later years, revealing stories of his service. Orv served 3 ½ years of continuous duty before returning home to his wife and then young son. A daughter, Kathy, was added to the family while in Chicago followed by a second daughter, Nancy who was added while the family lived in Des Moines, Iowa.
Orv had a successful career as a salesman for Anchor Packing, a Chicago based company. In addition to raising three children, Orv and Terry played plenty of golf, traveled the world and were active members of the 1st Methodist Church of Peoria for many years. He was a loving husband, a dependable father and established the fundamental values in his children to live successful and productive lives. On top of this, he had a wonderful sense of humor and was impossible to beat on the tennis court well into his 70’s. We are missing you Dad!
A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Lutheran Hillside Village, with Pastor Paul Parks officiating.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
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Peoria- Orville Mullen, not someone who took the easy path, after a lengthy struggle, Orv Mullen joined his lovely wife Terry on 24 January 2017, just 2 days short of his 98th birthday.
Orv was born in Hardin, MT, St. Xavier’s Mission, to William James and Alpha Gibson Mullen, on January 26, 1919. His family later settled in Chicago, where his parents each died separately, leaving him as an orphan at the age of seven during the Great Depression. Growing up, first in a Catholic orphanage and later in a foster home he learned many of life lessons that became part of the core values that served him well during the balance of his long life. Regrettably, this also included a life-long devotion to the Chicago Cubs, which taught Orv how to accept defeat when victory seemed certain. These lessons, together with his natural intelligence, quick smile, positive attitude, and dependability would serve him well in the decades that followed.
Having earned his way through high school, Orv lived in the Chicago YMCA while he worked at one of the few jobs available in depression-era America. A serendipitous decision to attend a YMCA sponsored dance led to meeting a young beauty, Terry Yager, who captured his heart and later became his wife. Orv and Terry were married over 72 years before Terry passed in 2014. They had three children: Craig, Kathy and Nancy.
Orv joined the U.S. Army just prior to World War II, moving through the enlisted ranks to become a young officer once war was declared. Orv served in North Africa and the Italian Campaign as a front line transport officer commanding a truck company moving troops and supplies to the frontlines. Coming under enemy fire on the beaches of Anzio, entering Rome during its capture, and supporting the continued push of the enemy north through the mountains of central Italy, Orv completing his war duty in Northern Italy in 1945. Like most of our Greatest Generation, Orv did not talk openly of his wartime experiences, but opened up in later years, revealing stories of his service. Orv served 3 ½ years of continuous duty before returning home to his wife and then young son. A daughter, Kathy, was added to the family while in Chicago followed by a second daughter, Nancy who was added while the family lived in Des Moines, Iowa.
Orv had a successful career as a salesman for Anchor Packing, a Chicago based company. In addition to raising three children, Orv and Terry played plenty of golf, traveled the world and were active members of the 1st Methodist Church of Peoria for many years. He was a loving husband, a dependable father and established the fundamental values in his children to live successful and productive lives. On top of this, he had a wonderful sense of humor and was impossible to beat on the tennis court well into his 70’s. We are missing you Dad!
A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Lutheran Hillside Village, with Pastor Paul Parks officiating.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
Saturday
18
Mar
1:00 PM
Lutheran Hillside Village
6901 N Galena Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
Memorial Contribution
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