St. Joseph Catholic Church joined those from St. Anne in Ortonville this past week in celebrating the life of the Rev. Bernard J. Mullen.
Father Mullen, of Ortonville, died last Wednesday (Nov. 28) after a long illness. He was 72.
He was born on July 16, 1935 in Croswell, MI, and was ordained in 1961. His assignments included service as associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Detroit; St. Joseph, Monroe; and St. Joseph, Lake Orion; and as pastor at St. Boniface, Detroit; and, most recently, St. Anne, Ortonville.
He was known to friends and parishioners as ‘Fr. Bernie,? and will be remembered for his love of art, devotion to God and compassion to others.
He served in Lake Orion for nine years.
Fr. Bernie is survived by beloved brothers, Frank Mullen of Detroit, Paul (Mary) Mullen of Roscommon, and Vince (Kathy) Mullen of Sterling Heights. Dear brother-in-law of Joe Ruhlman of Milford. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Ruhlman.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anne Church, located at 825 S. Ortonville Road. Adam Cardinal Maida officiated. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Citizen Editor David Fleet contributed to this story.