Edward Richard Mullen (1900-1976) was born on December 6,1900 in Lincoln, Illinois near Middletown where his parents, Edward Henry (1871-1949) and Josie Cullinane Mullen (1872-1929) resided. Edward was the first-born child in the family; he was followed by two brothers, Theodore (1902-1945) and Vincent Mullen (1907-1950) who predeceased him by many years; both were killed in separate accidents. A couple of years after their mother, Josie, died on January 3,1929, their father remarried Ruth Gramm. From this union came two half brothers, William (1934-1987) and Bernard (1936-2013) Mullen.

Edward attended school in Taylorville and Kincaid, Illinois. For two years he was enrolled in Saint Birchman Seminary in Nauvoo, Ill. His father owned the General store in Middletown, Illinois. Edward fondly reminisced about the time that he and his father traveled by horse and buggy throughout the countryside selling kitchen utensils and notions.

Edward met his wife, Phyllis Irene Hord (1900-1991), in Taylorville, Illinois. She was born the day after him on December 7,1900. Due to her family's strong religious beliefs they decided to elope in June, 1921. Edward was a Catholic and Phyllis had been raised as a Methodist. Matters decidedly turned worse when Phyllis later converted to Catholicism. Eventually, Phyllis reconciled her differences with her parents, however, Edward never attained their complete acceptance. Both Edward and Phyllis remained committed to their faith; the family always attended Sunday services and their children regularly attended religion classes.

Edward and Phyllis had six children: Rose Mary Monihan (1923-1992), Dixilie Ann Banowetz Raffa (1928-1996), Kenneth Allen (1930-2004), Colleen Antoinette Flint Helm (1932-2011), Gerald Edwin (1936-2013), and Philip Normand (1938-Present). Except for Philip all of the children are now deceased. Rosemary was the only child not born during the depression. In addition to their children Edward and Phyllis were especially fond of their 26 grandchildren.

Edward and Phyllis lived in Lemont, Illinois when Rose Mary was born. Seeking new employment opportunities Edward moved the family in 1928 to Chicago where Dixilie, Colleen and Gerald were born. Their son Kenneth was born in Taylorville, Illinois. By the time their son, Philip, was born they had moved to Oak Park, Illinois. Afterward, the family move to Decator, Illinois where they resided for a short time. About 1942, Edward and Phyllis purchased their first home in Westchester, Illinois where they resided until their children reached adulthood.

Edward and Phyllis were devoted, loving parents. Their highest priority in life was the care and wellbeing of their children. Providing the essentials of life for a family during this time in history was extremely stressful for all American families due to the depression however, their strength and determination enabled Edward and Phyllis to endure these hardships. They definitely earned the respect and devotion that their children forever held for them. They were especially proud that all but one of their children volunteered for US military service. Edward always said that one of the few regrets in his life was that he was too young for service during WW I and too old to serve during WW II.

Although Edward had a limited formal education he was a self-taught electrician which was his principal occupation during his life. He began his working career with the Consumers Co in Algonquin and Lemont, Illinois. About 1928, he moved his family to Chicago where he was employed by All American Radio followed by the Mercoid Company. Besides being a very capable electrician Edward was equally skilled as a machinist, a welder, a mechanic, a plumber, a painter and a carpenter. It was this broad range of capabilities that earned him the position of foreman during the last 16 years of his employment at Stebers Light Manufacturing in Broadview, Illinois starting in 1950. His work ethics were admirable as he never missed a day of work for any reason. One day, while installing a major piece of manufacturing equipment, one of his little fingers was accidentally severed. After being treated at a local hospital Edward returned to work the same day. He more than likely acquired this value during the depression years as he was always concerned about remaining employed to care for his growing family.

In 1966, Edward and Phyllis retired and moved to a mobile home village in Mesa, Arizona where both enjoyed the never ending pleasant weather and the interaction with other retirees. Soon their neighbors discovered Edward's skills and sought his help with any and every problem that frequently occur in a home. Edward, who could never say "No" to anyone found himself working as much as ever. However, much of the work required him to be outside in very high temperatures for long periods which contributed to his contracting polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease which causes the production of too many red blood cells. Before long Edward's medical condition deteriorated leading to a series of strokes. He died on August 2, 1976 and was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.