Ernest B Mullings

Ernest B. (Ernie) Mullings, Lansing, MI Born August 28, 1924, in Washington D.C. to Ernest Knorr Mullings and Margaret C. (Brown) Mullings; Ernie died in Charlotte, Michigan, on Friday May 12, 2017 at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen Marsh in 2014, and his two oldest children: daughter Georgia Humphreys in 2006, and son Aubrey Mullings, in 2013; and his previously divorced wife, Dorthea (Cato) in 2008. Ernest is survived by Mary Rose (Payne) Mullings, his wife of over 49 years, his two daughters: Christina Fender (Bob Boersma) of Holland, MI and Jeanette (Richard) Ransom, of Lansing; -- plus his five step daughters: Debbie (Carl) Watkis, of Lansing; Cindi (Larry) Powers, of Charlotte; Rose (Don) Perry, of Bellevue; Laura Young, of Lansing; and Tammy Cary (Trey Glasscoe) of Lansing; daughter-in-law Mary D. Mullings, of Orange Beach, AL; plus eighteen grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Ernie enlisted in the Air Force and served for three years during World War II, initially as a student pilot, but eventually as an instructor in electronics. After the war he was employed in technical writing and editing at the National Radio Institute in Washington, DC, and moved to Michigan in 1954 to become Assistant Advertising Manager for the Heathkit Company, in Benton Harbor. In 1965, he moved to Lansing as Publications Editor and writer for the Michigan Department of Public Health, followed by similar positions at the State Department of Education, and State Department of Commerce, retiring in 1984. Ernest was educated in the public schools Washington, D.C., and attended Tampa University, in FL, during WWII. Following the war he received his AA degree from The George Washington University, in DC, and later his BA degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Michigan State University. After retiring in Lansing, Ernie and Mary then lived 10 years at Gun Lake, MI, followed by 10 years in Gulf Shores and in Fairhope, AL, before returning to Lansing in 2004. His life-long hobby was music, expressed by singing and playing tenor guitar or banjo, and by appreciating the music of others. At Ernie's request he has been cremated. There will be no funeral, but a private celebration of his life for the family. Condolences may be expressed by e-mail at mullr 1 @att.net. Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home. www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com