Obituary of Charles W. McMullen

Charles W. McMullen, 76, of State College, died Friday, February 11, 2022, at Wynwood House State College.

Born January 16, 1946, in Lewistown, he was the son of the late Joseph E. and Hilda K. Peters McMullen. On April 2, 1966, in Alfarata, he married Nancy Rosenberry, who preceded him in death on December 19, 2017.

He is survived by two daughters, Jennifer B. Deutsch and her husband Kurt, and Michelle L. McMullen, both of State College; three siblings, Joseph H. McMullen and his wife Judy of Alexandria, David S. McMullen and his wife Stephanie, and Ruth Ann Helms and her husband Thomas of Fayetteville, NC; six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Garnett and her husband Thomas, Joshua Deutsch and his wife Jamie, Jakob, Kimberlee, and Matthew Deutsch, and Cassandra McMullen; and four great-grandchildren, Zolan Garnett, and Reagan, Genevieve, and Elias Deutsch.

Charles graduated from Chief Logan High School in 1963. He attended the Electronics Institute at Harrisburg, and was employed as an electrical engineer at ARL at Penn State University for 35 years.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pine Grove Mills for 50 years. He served on many committees, was a member of the choir, and enjoyed serving as a lay minister.

Charles was active as an official for local swim leagues, the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, and the PIAA swimming community. He worked many summer and winter swim leagues as an official, and developed the first computerized scoring system used by the PIAA.

He was also an avid ham radio operator, earning his operator's license at age 14. He was active in the Nittany Amateur Radio Club for many years and enjoyed helping with various community events and assisting in emergency communication during this time.

Visitation will be 6-7 pm, Thursday, February 17, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 277 W Pine Grove Rd., Pine Grove Mills. A Celebration of Life service will follow at the church at 7 pm with Pastor Paul Tomkiel officiating.

Burial will be in Lind Memorial Cemetery, Lewistown.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Special Olympics Pennsylvania, support.specialolympics.org.