MULRY – Edward Michael Mulry 87 a resident of Grand Rapids passed away August 3rd. He was the son of the late Edward Joseph and Louise (Longden) Mulry. Edward (Ed) was born March 26 1922 in Detroit MI. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1940. He served our country during World War II from 1942 1946 as an Aviation Machinist in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Wolverine and then the U.S.S. Card – one of only 3 military units to receive a Presidential Unit Citation. He married the love of his life Elaine DePlanche on October 5 1946 at St. John the Baptist Church in Ypsilanti MI. They lived in Michigan for one year before moving to Phoenix Arizona. They spent four years in Arizona where two of their six children were born. They returned to Michigan in 1952 and have resided in Grand Rapids area since. Ed and Elaine lived a truly rich and satisfying life among the many great friends and neighbors on the 1900 block of Prospect Ave SE for over 20 years. Ed was a very involved with St. Francis Xavier Church as a member of the Ushers Club for over 25 years and as a leader of the Youth Group for seven years. While at the Church Ed employed his expertise in design and carpentry to create elaborate sets each year for the Youth Group Varity Show as well as many other church dances and activities. He and Elaine both were great dancers and loved dancing to the Big Band sound. Ed worked as an Exhibit and Display Designer for Creative Display and as a Plant Layout Draftsman for Automatic Music Incorporated. He then went on to Alexander Scale Models as a Model Maker. He worked on projects that involved creating the scale models for instrument panels for NASA space capsules as well as several other projects that were displayed at the Smithsonian Institute. He followed this as a Material Handling Engineer for Kelvinator Inc. and in 1970 he accepted a position at Kelvinator International Inc. as the Chief Manufacturing Engineer. While there he traveled around the world to over 50 different countries setting up manufacturing factories for household appliances giving technical service and support. Ed retired from Kelvinator International Inc. after 15 years in 1984. Not one to sit still he worked as a Field Representative in Electrical Product Safety Testing for Intertek for several years. Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Elaine (DePlanche) Mulry; His six children Michael and Beth (Schankler) Mulry Sue (Mulry) and George Kresovich Gail (Mulry) and Russell White Rebecca (Mulry) and Patrick Straubel Lisa (Mulry) Steele Patrick and Kelly (Hart) Mulry; His 14 grandchildren Joshua Mulry Rachel (Mulry) Green Hogan Sasaki Olivia Finney William Finney Joseph Finney Sara Straubel Michael Straubel Caitlin Straubel Andrew Steele Adrienne Steele Devon Mulry Makaila Mulry and Collin Mulry; His brother-in-law Jack Keenan and his 9 children; And his nephew and wife Jack and Mary Denise DePlanche. Ed was predeceased by his sisters Gertrude Mulry and Ellen (Mulry) Keenan and his grandson John Edward. Some good advice from Edslow down you got your whole life to liveand he did it very well. The family extends its deepest heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at Fulton Manor and the PACE Program Care Resources. Mass of Christian Burial will be held August 7 10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE Rev. Steve Cron presiding. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Vigil service will be held at 7:30 PM. Visitation 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel 3980 Cascade Rd., SE. Remembrances may be made to Holland Home-Fulton Manor Program or CARE Resources c/o OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Rd. SE Grand Rapids MI 49546.
