Bennie McMullen, age 81, of Colo, died at his home on Monday, October 9, 2017.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 13, 2017, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, with Pastor David R. Burling officiating.  Burial will follow in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post #139.  Visitation will be held at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. 

Born March 27, 1936, in Harris, Missouri, Bennie Andrew McMullen was the son of LaVerne Widner and Josie Katheryne (Smith) McMullen.  He moved as a young man with his family to Story County.  Bennie married Helen Louise Arnold and served from 1958-60 in the United States Army. 

On August 20, 1982, Bennie was married to Wanda Arnold in Princeton, Missouri.  The couple made their home in Colo.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, and the company of his family. 

Bennie was very mechanically inclined and worked over the years as a heavy machine operator and at 3M in Ames.  Most recently, he was employed at the Colo Co-op. 

Survivors include his wife, Wanda; eight children, Bennie McMullen, Jr. of Chillicothe, MO, Andrew (Suzi) McMullen of Kansas City, MO, Donnie (Margo) McMullen of Amherst, WI, Dannie (Bobbie) McMullen of Picayune, MS, Timothy McMullen of Sloan, Angela (Michael) Prather of Colo, Anthony (Robin) McMullen of Marshalltown, and Steven (Andrea) McMullen of Ogden; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dixie (Lennie) Carkuff of Laurel, and Lyletta Jo (Royce) Linder of State Center; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; two brothers, Lester McMullen and Sammy McMullen; and three sisters, Teddy Jean McMullen, Osa May McMullen, and Kathryn Ringgenberg.

Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Bennie and his family.