Harold McMullen

Hastings resident, Harold S. McMullen, 97, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2016 at his home.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016; 4:30 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, Hastings with Pastor Greg Lindenberger and Lay Minister Homer Pierce officiating. Burial will be Monday, November 14, 2016; 4:00 P.M. in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings with Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Rathod officiating. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Harold Shafer McMullen was born on May 12, 1919 to Roy and Elsie (Mintling) McMullen, homesteaders on a small cattle ranch east of Arthur, Nebraska. Harold's transfer from this earthly journey to his life in eternity occurred on October 15, 2016.

Harold attended rural elementary school for eight years (two of which) he and one other were the only students. He graduated from Arthur County High School in 1937. In his sophomore year during a week of revival services, Harold accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized by immersion in a stock tank near the parsonage. His parents acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior and were baptized during the revival.

Completion of the Normal Training Course in high school and passing the State exams with 85% or more led to receiving a Rural Elementary Teaching Certificate. The following year he taught eight grades in a rural elementary school five miles from his home.

September 1938, he began what he expected to be two years on scholarship at Business College in Grand Island, Nebraska. During the first year, he completed Civil Service exams for junior and senior clerk typists. By mid-August of 1939, Harold received a letter asking him to report within five days from staking hay on the ranch to the Commerce Department in Washington, D.C. to begin the 1939 Census.

After five years of combined service at the Commerce Department, the Agriculture Department (known as the War Food Administration during WWII) and pentagon, he resigned. Active volunteer service in Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., including Youth Week Pastor in a congregation with 1,300 in attendance every Sunday led to the call to prepare for Christian ministry. He resigned from government service to enroll at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Here he worked his way through to attain a Bachelor's degree. While in college on August 28, 1946 he and Elvira (Engel) were married in Loveland, Colorado. Upon graduation in 1947, he matriculated at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts for a five year course of study. Elvira transferred to Boston University to complete her Bachelor's degree in Education. In 1950 she enrolled at Andover Newton Theological School. They both graduated in 1952 with Masters Degrees.

Throughout seminary, Harold served as Youth Director of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Waltham, Massachusetts. During his last year, he carried a full academic schedule, completed his Master's thesis and served as the interim pastor of Beth Eden Church. Their first child, Bonita Kay, was born just two weeks after both Elvira and Harold graduated. In May, Harold was a candidate at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was called to begin serving as pastor on August 1, 1952.

Eight wonderful years of church laity growth in spiritual leadership, in membership, as well as significant increased giving to local budgetary/programming, and missions college institutions and seminaries. Growth demanded a larger site for new buildings. That site was purchased and paid for where a new sanctuary and educational facilities were constructed during the succeeding pastorate.

Harold was called to be the first full-time pastor of a mission congregation in Kansas City, Missouri. Between 1960 and 1968 the congregation moved from its infancy in an elementary school building to a new all-purpose building. Growth in membership led to the need for larger facilities. A master plan was developed; the educational/office building was constructed and paid for.

In 1968, Harold was called to another mission in San Jose, California to be the first full-time pastor. After four years of rapid growth of the congregation, Harold resigned to enter college again. He had long been attracted to the medical field. It seemed like his mid-50's was the time to make the move. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Foothill College that was associated with Stanford University. That prepared him for national exams to become a registered Respiratory Therapist. He began working in local hospitals including ICU units. Soon he developed a hospital based Pulmonary Rehab Program. His background was ideal for assisting disheartened lung diseased patients to discover their potential for limited but near normal functioning with greater ease. This was a most rewarding ministry. Simultaneously, he volunteered his lay ministry leadership in local churches, which he was continued until his death.

In 1984, Harold officially retired but continued to be a volunteer serving wherever needed. In 1986, both Elvira and Harold were among the first five laity plus Dr. Robert Hawthorne, pastor of Almaden Hills United Methodist Church to become commissioned Stephen Ministry Leaders. Both continued to train Stephen Ministers for six years until they moved to Hastings. Upon request, they assisted First United Methodist Church to establish this program, which prepares laity for one or more years of supporting persons who are facing excessive hurts following major losses in their lives.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Elsie McMullen; wife; Elvira Maryetta (Engel) McMullen; one brother, Rufus Junior McMullen and his wife, Bobbie Jo; several cousins, uncles and aunts.

He is survived by son, Norman Harold McMullen, a loving parent, able accountant and superior musician; our lovely daughter-in-law, Amy; grandson, Tristan James and granddaughter, Emily Faye of Windsor, Vermont; daughter, Bonita Kay McMullen, a very caring person who is a retired senior research scientist from Pfizer. She is a faithful church member and community volunteer. She lives in Raymond, Nebraska. Other survivors are cousins, nephews, nieces and a host of friends.