Obituary of Harold J. Mullen

CANISTEO: Harold J. Mullen, 88, of Ste. Rte. 248 went home to be with the Lord peacefully Tuesday morning (Dec. 25, 2012) at his home following a brief illness. Harold was born December 10, 1924 on the family farm in Hartsville to John and Mary (Lamphier) Mullen. On December 10, 1947 he married Jean E. Elder, of Hornell, to whom he was married to for 51 years. She predeceased him in 1999. He was also predeceased by a brother Nelson R. Mullen and sister Virginia York. On August 11, 2001 he married Charlotte Weldy Carney who survives and lives in Canisteo. Harold was a life long resident of the Canisteo Valley and was a graduate of Canisteo Central School class of 1942. He bought the family farm in 1964 from his father, which he operated and managed until 1990. While he operated his farm, he was a sales representative for Pioneer International Seed Co. for 10 years. He was also a sales rep. for Royster and Agrico Fertilizer Companies selling fertilizer to surrounding farms and also a distributor for Conklin Products. In 1993 Harold was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for 34 years of dedicated service to the County ASC Committee, now the USDA, and for outstanding leadership in the implementation of Agricultural programs for the farming community of Steuben County. He served 18 years on the board of directors of Steuben County Cooperative Extension Committee. At this time he served on the dairy and sheep committee. He was also a member of the Bath Empire Livestock Advisory Board. He served 18 years as assessor for the town of Hartsville and served 7 years as chairman of the board and for 5 years served as Hartsville Town Justice of the Peace. He served on the advisory board for the former First State Bank in Canisteo and as a director on the board of Allegany County Co-op Insurance Co. In 1958 Harold was awarded the outstanding farmer of the year for his exceptional progress in agriculture and contributions to the community. One of Harold's greatest passions was spending quality time with his family and friends. For leisure time he enjoyed hunting and attending his grandson's many sporting events in the area. He was deacon at the Southside Baptist Church for many years and presently a deacon and Chairman of the Board at Bennetts Creek Bible Church. In addition to his wife Charlotte of Canisteo, Harold is survived by two daughters: MaryAnn (Kim) Krog of Penfield, Marcia (Jack) Beers of Canisteo, two sons Michael (Julie) Mullen and Mack (Verna) Mullen all of Canisteo, 7 step-children: Larry (Jean) Carney of Rhode Island, Judy (Allan) Warriner of Arkport, Jerry (Shawnta) Carney of Arkport, Mary (Dana) Sherman of Canisteo, Jennifer (Carlos) Morales of Arkport, Amy (Evandro) Mendez of Arkport and Sarah (Lance) Baker of Jasper, 12 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 6-8 PM Friday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo. Funeral and committal services will take place Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Bennetts Creek Bible Church, Ste. Rte. 248, Greenwood. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Canisteo. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bennetts Creek Bible Church c/o Peter Suttmier, Ste. Rte. 248,Canisteo, N.Y. 14823. Service: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 11:00 AM Bennetts Creek Bible Church Ste. Rte. 248, Greenwood, NY Visitation: Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 1-3 and 6-8 PM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY