Ronald Dean Mullen, the son of Hershel and Lela (Waage) Mullen was born November 27, 1925 on a farm just west of Elliott, Iowa. He passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 24 days. Ronald was raised in the Griswold and Elliott areas. He entered the U.S. Army on September 19, 1944, and served with Company L, 382nd Infantry, 96th Division during WW II. Ronald received a Purple Heart while in the Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands in the Pacific. Following his honorable discharge on November 26, 1946, he returned to the family farm working for neighboring farmers. Ronald also worked for Hawkeye Lumber and Green Bay Lumber. He then went to work for Union Carbide Battery Company where he retired after 30 years. Ronald was united in marriage to Velura Jeanne (Messinger) Gustin on February 1, 1952 in Red Oak, Iowa. They lived in Stanton, and in 1966 made their home in Red Oak. He was a member of the American Legion Ernie Johnson Post #406 of Stanton for over 50 years. Ronald and Jeanne, with his step-son, Richard (Rick) Gustin spent most summer vacations traveling the western states, visiting relatives and enjoying the outdoors. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Sandquist and her husband Dean Sandquist. Ronald is survived by his wife, Jeanne Mullen of Red Oak, IA; step-son, Richard (Sharon) Gustin of Longview, WA; 3 grandsons: Paul, Phillip and Patrick all of Longview/Kelso, WA; 6 great-granddaughters; 1 great-great-granddaughter; 3 great-great-grandsons; niece, Brenda (Ernest) Wederquist of Shenandoah, IA; and nephews: Bryan (Teresa) Sandquist of Omaha, NE and Scott (Gina) Sandquist of Chesapeake, VA; other nieces and nephews; relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak, IA Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak with Military Rites Rev. JoAnn Thomas, Officiating Visitation with the family will be held 1 hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home A memorial is being established in Ronald's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.