Junior Mullins

Junior Edgar Mullins, 85, Independence, MO died May 24, 2011. Funeral services will be at 7 pm, Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055 preceded by visitation beginning at 5:30 pm. Graveside service with Full Military Honors will be at 1 pm, Friday at Ionia Christian Cemetery in Ionia, MO. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Kansas City Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
Junior was born June 3, 1925 in Osceola, MO son of Stacy E. Mullins and Mary Frances Rush. On June 26, 1943 he married the love of his life, Iola J. Friedly, who survives in Independence. He was a proud WW II veteran serving in the Navy. He loved to share his Pacific battle stories and was proud to personally witness the Japanese surrender from the USS Missouri. He was a smart and hard-working man who overcame a limited education to achieve professional success. He worked at Exide Battery Company for over twenty-five years and Opti-Copy for ten years before retiring in 1992. An avid bowler, golfer and fisherman, he loved to play anything that had a score associated with it. With a focus on family and fun, he leaves a legacy of tremendous love.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents, brother Vernon Mullens and sister Diras Barney. In addition to his wife, Junior is survived by sister Patty Lawrence; son Larry Mullins and wife Janet, Hermitage, MO; daughters Marsha Sears, Pleasant Hill, MO; Rita Nicholson and husband Tom, Blue Springs, MO; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.