Velma Lorene Mull

Velma Lorene Mull, 90, of Tucson, Arizona died at 12:07 a.m. on January 6, 2015, at Copper Canyon Alzheimer's Special Care Center. She was born on March 27, 1924 in her home near Anna, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest and Leona (Irwin) Bartruff. She was one of five children who were raised on a farm in Union County, Illinois and graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in Illinois in 1942. She married Harold Fount Mull in the Truth Center Church, St. Louis, Mo., on Sunday, July 25, 1943. Velma first met Harold, who was in the Navy, while he was saying goodbye to his brother, Bob, who had just joined the Army. They celebrated 71 years of marriage on July 25, 2014 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Annandale, Va.She is survived by her husband, Harold; three children, Sue Ann Olsen (Arthur Mark), Linda Kay Alcivar (Patricio Antonio), and David Leon Mull (Sherry Lynn); four grandchildren, Julie Ann Florendo (Amante John), Jennifer Lynn Alcivar, Ellen Lorene Mull and Kristen Louise Mull; and one great-grandchild, Connor Samuel Florendo; one sister, Norma Conant; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Leona Bartruff and three brothers, Merrill Blaine, Ralph Leon and Ernest Lowell. Velma was a tireless worker and volunteer. She worked first as a telephone operator in Anna prior to her marriage. In later years she worked for State Farm Insurance agents in Mascoutah, Ill. and Fairfax County, Va. as a licensed insurance secretary. Velma was deeply involved in her Methodist Church. She served on the Altar Guild and in various offices in her circle of United Methodist Women, plus was an active member of her Sunday School Class. She assisted with the Meals on Wheels program in Fairfax County and was a volunteer driver for children who needed transportation to choir practice.Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, ceramics and researching family history. Velma researched her Bartruff family line back to its mother country, Germany.Velma loved to travel and from her early days on the farm was always ready to go. In Harold, she found a kindred spirit and together they explored the world. As a family they made many trips across the United States to visit sights and family. Later they took many trips abroad to every continent except Antarctica. Their last adventure was to Africa in 2010 to see Victoria Falls and African wildlife.Memorial services for Mrs. Velma Lorene Mull will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2015 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Rev. Joe Aldridge officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery. Friends may call after 10:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2015 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Memorials can be made to St. Matthews UMC or to the Alzheimer's Association. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro