Date of death: 1/16/2021
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1961
John Philip McMullen, 85, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at his home in Spencer, Indiana.
Born to John and Antoinette (Dorn) McMullen on June 12, 1935, John was the eldest of their nine children.
John was a 1953 graduate of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Marie Steffy, on November 19, 1955 and they remained together until Janet’s recent passing – just 4 days shy of their 65th wedding anniversary.
John was Honorably Discharged from the U.S Army in 1963 and worked for Western Electric in Indianapolis his entire career until he took an early retirement in 1983. He was very active in many social groups over the years: the AFL-CIO, political committees, the Knights of Columbus, and the multiple churches he interacted with in Indianapolis, including St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St Barnabas. He enjoyed bartering (buying & selling) at various flea markets and consignment shops during his retirement years.
John was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Spencer. Since moving to Owen County about 20 years ago, John has remained very active, especially enjoying time spent at the Owen County Art Guild honing his painting and writing skills. His true passion however, has been befriending, ministering, sponsoring, and supporting his fellow members, new and old, in AA – giving back the love and support he once desperately needed 41 years prior.
John enjoyed spending time with his immediate family, his siblings, and his many friends – and he loved singing, especially in the church choir. He will be missed by all those he touched.
John is survived by his two sons Kevin (Mary Jo) McMullen of Indianapolis, IN; Michael (Melody) McMullen of Bloomington, IN; his two daughters, Colleen McMullen of Cloverdale, IN; Cynthia (Lane) Slavens of Hurricane Mills, TN; eight grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; his siblings, George McMullen, Maryanna Kistner, Paul (Jean) McMullen, Tom (Joyce) McMullen, Pat (Shala) McMullen, Rose (Wayne) Mizer, and Betty (Rudy) Brinker; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his wife Janet (Steffy) McMullen, their infant son, Stephen; his parents, John and Antoinette; and his infant brother Michael.