Gregory Ross Mullinix

gregory-ross-mullinix

Gregory Ross Mullinix, 71, of Brazil, Indiana, passed away on July 2, 2020 following a brief illness. His death was unrelated to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Greg was born on October 17, 1948, in Clay County, Indiana to Arthur Ray “Ross” and Wilma Jean (Meadows) Mullinix. At a young age, Greg lost his father, Ross, to an injury sustained in World War II. His mother then married Jesse Hill, an active member of the United States Air Force. As an Air Force brat, Greg lived on several different bases across the country, but eventually returned home to Brazil. He graduated from Brazil High School with the class of 1967 and quickly married the love of his life, Janine, Janine the Queen of Lilac Time. Sorry Mom, but he would have wanted to get that last tease in there.

Greg and his bride officially opened their home and hearts to their son, Jon Russell, at the age of 9, in 1975, and eventually welcomed a biological daughter, Ashlee, in 1980. Greg was an extremely attentive husband and loving father and grandfather. He was unbelievably proud of his children, their spouses, and his six grandchildren. He was a dreamer that always took the time to listen to the dreams of his loved ones and would help them make their dreams into reality in any and every way possible, even if it meant keeping it a secret from our mother. It should be noted that despite what he told any of you, none of us have ever walked on water and instead live rather ordinary existences.

Greg briefly attended Indiana State University, where he majored in Euchre with a minor in Card Sharkology. Once his knowledge base was well-established, acknowledged, and occasionally respected by all those in the Commuter Lounge, he left ISU to join the Indiana Army National Guard to begin a lifetime of service that would define his character and touch the lives of many across the world. Greg served his country for 37 years before retiring as a Master Sergeant. He spent time on active duty in Bosnia, where he was not only instrumental as a leader, but also went beyond his military duties to find ways for his beloved hometown citizens of Brazil to help provide school supplies to a war torn school located near the base.
Not only was Greg a man of service, but he was also one of extreme loyalty. Beginning at the age of 17, Greg began working at Pell’s in Brazil. He continued his career with Pell Homes Inc. as the Vice President of Sales until they shut their doors in 2011. Greg relished his time spent at the store around his co-workers and customers. His abundance of knowledge around home improvement typically left his customers with the ability to fix their issue, or at the very least, with a story to tell. He was empathetic to the plight of the “do-it-yourselfer” in a time before YouTube instructional videos and few in Clay County could throw a tool farther or with more flair when a home maintenance task went differently than planned.

Greg loved camping with his wife and friends, eating, fishing, cooking, eating, and socializing while eating, but more than anything, he loved spending time with his family, while eating. His infectious laugh and often colorful one-liners will be passed on dutifully by his children, grandchildren, and beyond. Although we think he was nearly perfect, it must be said that Greg Mullinix was an absolutely terrible singer. Seriously, it was bad. His family would like to formally apologize to all those that sat near him in church pews over the years, as well as those that ever witnessed his painful rendition of Silver Bells. The family pets did their best to make the point for all of us, but there were times we struggled to stifle his attempts. Despite that one flaw, he was a superhero to his family. A man who loved fiercely and spoke highly of almost everyone he knew. He was a dreamer and a do-er, a soldier and a peacekeeper, a listener and a teacher, and the sun is dimmer without him under it.

Greg is survived by his wife Janine Mullinix of Brazil; son Jon Russell and
wife Anita of Brazil; daughter Ashlee Zaucha and husband Chad of Yorktown,
Indiana; grandchildren: Austin Russell, Madison Russell, Reese Zaucha, Brecke
Zaucha, Ryker Zaucha, and Beaux Zaucha; siblings: Mark Mullinix and wife Cathy
of Brazil, Kathy Kellum and husband Bob of Terre Haute, and Randy Hill and wife
Mary of Brazil; mother-in-law Maxine Metz of Brazil; as well as many nieces,
nephews, extended family members, and friends that he thought of like family.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents: Ross and Wilma Mullinix Hill, and step-father,
Jesse Hill; siblings: Rick Mullinix and Tammy Jaeger; and father-in-law, Clarence Metz.

Visitation will be at Lawson – Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Ave. Brazil, Indiana
47834 on Friday, July 10, 2020 from 4-8pm and again on Saturday, from 10-11am.
Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11:00am. Burial will
follow at Calcutta Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Greg’s memory to the Harmony United Methodist
Church, 10195 N Vine St, Harmony, IN 47853.

Visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com to light a candle in his memory.

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