John L. “Mully” Mullenbach

PORTAGE/WYOCENA -- John L. “Mully” Mullenbach, age 96, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Columbia County Health Care Center in Wyocena, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born on January 24, 1920, in Portage, the son of Louis and Theresa (Weber) Mullenbach. He married Marie Hilgendorf on May 4, 1948. He proudly served his country as a crew chief in Army Air Corps, stationed in England, from 1942 to 1945 and returned to Portage to work as an engineer for Milwaukee Road until his retirement in 1982. Throughout his life, he enjoyed baseball and softball. For many years, he played and managed the Service Drugs team, throwing his famous knuckle ball that led him to play minor league ball including the Milwaukee Brewers in 1939.

He is survived by his children, Robert J. Mullenbach (Bev Bartels), Wisconsin Dells, Barbara M. (Glenn) Knight, Pardeeville, and Jeanne (Greg) Maass, Green Bay;  two grandchildren, Jessica (Terry) Hopp, Green Bay, and Amanda Maass, Dallas, Texas; other dear relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and two sisters, Bernice Hoppe and Evelyn Mullenbach.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Portage Area Veteran’s Honor Guard.

The family would like to thank the staff at Columbia County Health Care Center for their care and support.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.