Ernest B. “Ernie” Mullings

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Ernest B. "Ernie" Mullings, Lansing, Michigan, born Aug. 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; 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, Michigan and Jeanette (Richard) Ransom of Lansing; his five stepdaughters, 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, Alabama; plus 18 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, D.C., 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 Florida during WWII. Following the war, he received his AA degree from George Washington University in D.C., 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, Michigan, followed by 10 years in Gulf Shores and in Fairhope, Alabama, before returning to Lansing in 2004.

His lifelong 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 email at mullr1@att.net.

Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.