Obituary of Edward Francis Mullen

MULLEN, Edward Francis 92, of Largo. He was predeceased by his wife Gretchen L. Mullen. He has three children, Kathleen L. Wingfield Dr. C. David, Belleair, Douglas T. Mullen Karyn Altamonte Springs, and Dr. David E. Mullen Judy Bradenton; 4 grandchildren, Gregory T. Mullen, Melissa Everatt Randy, Jeff Wingfield Julie, Dr. David Wingfield, Lynn Stephenson Randy and Michael Mullen Freedom; and three great grandchildren, Marissa, Nathan, and Olivia. Born Jan 30, 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska, he excelled in art and was an articulate orator. At high school graduation, he was offered a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. Unfortunately, he had to decline it because he had to become the sole provider to his mother and two siblings following his father's early death. In 1937, he married Gretchen Schultz in Seattle, WA. In WWII, he was a military troop escort in the Midwest. He was an account executive for major magazines of the Fawcett Group and Whitney Publications. In the 50's, he was the national advertising manager at the Orlando Sentinel and advertising manager for the Florida Speaks and Travel Cuba magazines. One of his most satisfying positions was as national ad manager for the Christian Herald magazine. In 1972, he and his wife moved to Belleair, FL where they built a very successful home based ad agency. He combined his love of gardening raising geraniums and orchids with his business by bringing to many of his clients flowers he had so lovingly nutured. Possessed with a strong work ethic and deep abiding faith in God, he continued working until his early 80s, and was a loving and caring father, grandfather, and friend to his family and friends. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Feb. 21, 2009 from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Services will be held Feb. 22, 2009 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Largo, FL at 4:00pm. Donations in lieu of flowers to Moody Bible Institute or Christ Presbyterian Church. Reese Funeral Home 727-391-9954