Don Mullin

Don was born on February 19, 1928 in Jewell County, Kansas to Don and Merle Fulton. After losing both his parents at an early age, Don and his three sisters were adopted by Tom and Gertrude Mullin of Creston. His brother was raised by Arnold and Irene Parks of Maloy, Iowa. Don entered eternal rest on October 3, 2013, at Greater Regional Hospice Home, Creston, Iowa, at the age of eighty-five years.
Don attended St. Malachy School and graduated from Creston High School in 1946. After high school, Don served in the United States Navy Air Force as a ground based radioman. After active service, Don enrolled in the Creighton University School of Commerce where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in economics.
Don met Patricia Gillespie on campus at Creighton, and, after graduation they married on December 29, 1951 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa. They made their home in Omaha while Don earned his law degree from Creighton University Law School, Class of 1955. During this time, Don and Pat had their first three children. Upon receiving his law degree, Don and his young family returned to Creston where he went into law practice with his father. Don and Pat purchased what would become the family home for the next 30 years and their family grew from three to eight children.
Don practiced law for 50 years and touched numerous lives during his professional life. A 50-year member of the Iowa State Bar Association, he served on the continuing education, legal and grievance committees. Don served as legal counsel for the Green Valley Chemical Corporation in Creston from its inception, until he retired. Don was recognized by his professional peers as demonstrating the highest level of legal ability and adherence to ethical standards.
Aside from the practice of law, Don loved to work with his hands. As his children grew, he remodeled the family home, built a two-car garage, and converted an empty double lot to a horse corral. He enjoyed working with electronics, and built his first stereo from a kit and the cabinet to put it in. He loved to garden and landscape, always growing enough vegetables to last though the winter. With his father (and his boys) he was also involved in raising cattle. Later in life, Don started bicycle riding as a way to keep fit. He rode on several RAGBRAIs during his 50s and into his 60s.
Don served on the St. Malachy School Board, was a member of the St. Malachy and Holy Spirit Parishes where he sang in the choir and served as lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Elks Club, and Eagles Club.
Left to cherish Don’s memory is his wife, Patricia Mullin, Creston; his children: Thomas (Molly) Mullin, Oak Harbor, WA; Martin Mullin (and Timm Signs), Federal Way, WA; Peggy (Rob) Dietrich, Iowa City, IA; Brian (Vicki) Mullin, Corning, IA; Bill (Julia) Mullin, Creston, IA; Nora (Ronnie) Sprague, Creston, IA; Paul Mullin (and Pat Rains), Kingston, WA; Gary (Michelle) Mullin, West Seattle, WA; Twenty-three grandchildren; Twenty great-grandchildren; his brother, Gary (Alice) Parks, Sioux Falls, SD; his brother-in-law, Gene Miller, Creston; his sisters: Joy (Al) Zmolek, Elroy, WI; and Sally Egly, Denton, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Preceding Don in death were his birth parents, Donald and Merle Fulton; his adoptive parents, Thomas and Gertrude Mullin; his sister, Shirley Miller; his brother-in-law, Darrel Egly; and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Bowers.