Lawrence "Mike" Mulhern

Lawrence "Mike" Mulhern, 87, of Beattie, KS, died Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Monday, at St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Beattie. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, at St. Malachy's. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. Laura O’Neil played the organ while Tom Mulhern led the congregation in singing “Be Not Afraid”, “Open My Eyes”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “Song of Farewell” and “How Great Thou Art.” The pallbearers were his sons, Larry Mulhern, Pat Mulhern, Tom Mulhern, Dan Mulhern, Jim Mulhern, Bill Mulhern and John Mulhern. Burial was in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Beattie. Lawrence was born on February 14, 1925, near Beattie, KS, the son of Vincent and Katherine (Smith) Mulhern. In 1943, he graduated from Summerfield High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served in the South Pacific - the Russell Islands, Guam, Guadalcanal and Okinawa, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. On August 30, 1947 he married Caroline Stueve at Holy Family Church in Summerfield. He attended Kansas State University and in January of 1949, was appointed Rural Mail Carrier for Beattie and later Summerfield. In January of 1999, he retired after 50 years of service. Lawrence enjoyed spending time outdoors, farming north of Beattie, gardening, bird watching, hunting and fishing. He volunteered and helped coach many youth sports. He was also a Cub Scout Master. He was a lifelong member of St. Malachy's Catholic Church, where he served as council member, Eucharistic Minister and lector. He was also a member of the Marysville Knights of Columbus, Beattie American Legion, and both the Kansas and National Rural Letter Carriers' Association. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Katherine Marie; three brothers, John, Eugene and Robert Mulhern; and one sister, Lucille Weber. Survivors include his wife, Caroline; seven sons, Larry Mulhern, Tucson, AZ; Pat (Kim) Mulhern, Sierra Vista, AZ, Tom (Yolanda) Mulhern, Eugene, OR, Dan (Terry) Mulhern, Manhattan, KS, Jim Mulhern, Lawrence, KS, Bill (Valerie) Mulhern, Colorado Springs, CO, and John Mulhern, Liberal, KS; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence "Mike" Mulhern, please visit our flower store.