Thomas James Mullen

Thomas James Mullen, age 74, of Richmond, died unexpectedly Friday, June 19, 2009 of a massive stroke at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He had been a diabetic for 35 years. Born August 2, 1934 in Montmorenci, Indiana to Albert Edwin Mullen and Bernice Elizabeth Weidlich Mullen, Tom was a well-known professor, speaker, humorist, and author of 14 books. He graduated from Earlham College in 1956 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University in 1959. He served as pastor of New Castle Friends Meeting for seven years before returning to his alma mater to become Campus Minister and later Dean of Students. Widely known as a religious scholar, pastor and humorist, Tom joined the faculty of the Earlham School of Religion in 1972, where he served for many years as Professor of Applied Theology. He was chosen to serve as Dean of ESR during a crucial time in the school’s history, helping to raise funds for the construction of the current ESR classroom/community building, completed in 1989, which stands at the corner of National Road and College Avenue. An early and enthusiastic proponent of the affiliation of Bethany Theological Seminary, Tom also founded the successful Ministry of Writing Colloquium, which brings in noted authors from around the country to work with aspiring local writers. Among the best-selling titles of Tom’s 14 books are Birthdays, Holidays and Other Disasters, Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together, Someone Spills His Milk, Living Longer and Other Sobering Possibilities, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences, and A Very Good Marriage. In 2002, Yale Divinity School made Tom the recipient of their distinguished alumni award in “recognition of his superb work in theological education.” Tom married fellow Earlham alumna Nancy Kortepeter Mullen who died on December 18, 1998 at the age of 64. Tom married fellow seminary professor Nancy Faus on December 21, 2002, who had also lost her spouse of many years. They enjoyed six wonderful years of marriage, traveling the world, teaching and preaching together and relishing the love of their combined families. Tom was a member of West Richmond Friends Meeting for 42 years where he served on many committees, spoke many times, served on the Ministry Team and acted as interim minister. He was also an associate member of the Richmond Church of the Brethren where his wife Nancy Faus is an active member. Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Faus-Mullen, brother Frank Mullen of Richmond, children Sarah Northrop (Charles) of Richmond, Martha Shigenobu (Hideki) of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Brett Mullen (Pam) of Richmond, and Ruth Mullen (Steve Beaven) of Portland, Oregon; two step-children Jennifer Faus, of Chicago, Illinois, and Robert Faus (Phebe) of Flagstaff, Arizona; six grandchildren: Charles Northrop of Richmond, Taro, Hanako and Kazu Shigenobu of Ridgewood, New Jersey and Paul and Thomas Beaven (Tom’s namesake) of Portland, Oregon; step-grandchildren William, Emma, and Isabelle Faus of Chicago, Illinois, Gretchen Faus of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Heather and Cheryl Hensley of Richmond. A Memorial Service will be at 2pm Saturday June 27, 2009 at West Richmond Friends Meeting, 609 West Main Street, Richmond, Indiana with Joshua Brown and Phil Gulley officiating and a second service will be August 2, 2009 at 2pm on what would have been his seventy-fifth birthday at the Church of the Brethren, 1 Southwest 17th Street, Richmond, Indiana. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Tom Mullen Ministry of Writing Fellowship Program at the Earlham School of Religion, 218 College Avenue, Richmond, Indiana 47374 or Richmond Friends School, 607 West Main Street, Richmond, Indiana 47374.

Thomas James Mullen

August 2, 1934 - June 19, 2009