Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Thomas “Tom” Jackson Mullins Jr., of Winona Lake, passed away peacefully into Heaven on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the care of Parkview Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw at the age of 75. A life well-lived in service to his Lord, Tom’s legacy of faith and love remains, and he will be deeply missed by his many family members and friends who loved him.
Tom was born on July 3, 1950, in Goshen, to Thomas and Luella Claudine Rensberger Mullins. Growing up in a household full of love, he was one of two children. After graduating from Syracuse High School in 1968, Tom earned his B.A. in Education in 1974 from Grace College in Winona Lake. For Tom, teaching was never just a job … it was a lifelong calling. Over a distinguished 33-year career as a beloved history teacher, he shaped young minds from the classrooms of Iowa, Illinois, Florida and Indiana including right here in Winona Lake, at Lakeland Christian Academy. Tom enjoyed sharing his love and passion for sports and spent over 30 years encouraging his students as a basketball coach and as a driver’s education instructor. He was an avid fan of Grace College sports, I.U. basketball and was always a historian at heart. He loved reading, especially anything involving American history, and Tom never avoided the chance to have sports related or political conversations.
On March 25, 1972, Tom married the love of his life, Catherine “Cathy” Rose Witt. They were blessed with raising five children and experiencing the joy of becoming grandparents during their 54 years of marriage. Moving back to the area in 2010, they enjoyed the fellowship of their church family at First Baptist Church of Warsaw. Tom’s greatest sense of accomplishment was that his five children came to know the Lord at an early age.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Cathy Mullins, Winona Lake; three sons: Thomas (Amanda) Mullins III, Bowling Green, Ohio; Timothy (Katie) Mullins, Ozark, Mo.; Torrey (Angela) Mullins, Indianapolis; two daughters, Tiphanie (Chris) Volkers, Winona Lake; Tenisha (Jason) Branim, Jeffersonville; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Patricia Behrens.
Tom’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14 at First Baptist Church, 2819 Patterson Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Steve Rahn. Friends are welcome to visit with family prior to the service from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. To celebrate Tom’s passion for IU, please feel free to wear IU red and join the family in honoring his memory at his service.
Memorial donations may be directed to First Baptist Church, 2819 Patterson Road, Warsaw, IN 46582 to go towards the building fund.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
