Robert "Bob" Mullen

Robert C. "Bob" Mullen of Cuba, Missouri was born Monday, March 24, 1952 at Rolla, Missouri to the union of Lawrence and Ella Mae (Nee: McKee) Mullen. Bob left from this life, suddenly, on Sunday evening March 1, 2020 at his home in Cuba at the age of 67 years.

Bob, as he was known by, spent his entire life in Cuba. He is a 1970 graduate of the Cuba High School. Bob started his working career at a very young age. His mom purchased him a new lawn mower and Bob began taking care of everyone's yard. When he was 16, Bob had saved enough money to buy his own car. Ray Hall, Mae (Bob's Mom) and Bob went to the new car lot and Bob bought and paid cash for a brand-new Mustang. Bob's love of cars continued throughout his life.

After the grass mowing business, Bob worked for Ray Hall, then Freddy's Drive Inn, The Drug Store, Art's Auto Sales and for ten years Bob owned and operated a canoe rental on Thurman Lake Road, Cuba. In 1980 Bob started ABC Investments. For the last forty years, Bob has sold cars, furniture, lawn mowers, generators, straw, burn barrels, household items and much more. Bob was always looking to make a deal, but he also would help anyone who asked. Bob truly had a heart of gold.

In the late 1980's Bob became friends with a beautiful young lady at Wholesale Furniture in St. Louis. After many years of trying, Bob got Darlene Epperson to have dinner with him and as they say, "the rest is history". They were united in marriage on May 21, 1994 at the Cuba Christian Church. The wedding, reception and party lasted for a week.

Bob started collecting cookie jars many years ago and then he wanted to collect gas pumps, then signs, then neon signs and fifteen years ago he started collecting old Cuba memorabilia and Route 66 memorabilia. But when you collect so many things you must have a place to put all of them and with that Bob's Gasoline Alley was built. Bob loved living on the farm. They have had deer, donkeys, peacocks, llamas, alpacas, buffalos, pigs and goats, just to name a few.

Bob's Gasoline Alley has been featured in several magazines around the state and across this great nation. They have hosted funerals, weddings, receptions, family gatherings, car clubs, Route 66 clubs and people from all over the world. Bob enjoyed hosting events because his partner, soul mate and love of his life, Darlene, was always by his side. Bob and Darlene enjoyed day trips looking for antiques and new treasures. They enjoyed eating out, working together, vacations and just being together.

Bob was a member of the Cuba Lions Club, Cuba Freewill Baptist Church, Route 66 Association and Cuba Lodge #312 A.F. & A.M. Twice a year he was out asking for donations for the Lions Club. First was for the Cuba Car Show and second was for the Lions Club Thanksgiving Dinner. He called everyone in his phone book to remind them that chicken dinner was Sunday.

To know Bob was to know that he always had a story to tell, lots of one liners, he could always make everyone laugh and he had good and bad jokes. He loved his community, his family and his friends,but what he truly loved most was his beautiful wife Darlene.

Bob was a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, cousin and friend of everyone. Bob and his stories will be truly missed by his family, friends and this entire community that Bob called home.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Mae Mullen; one sister Mildred Bell; two brothers Cleatis Mullen and Bennett Mullen; brothers-in-law Jim Durbin, Alvin Kaysinger, John Kamler; special four-legged friend Sir Brown Dog and many other family and friends.

Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving wife of twenty-five years Darlene Mullen of the home; Darlene's children Katina Epperson of Springfield, Missouri and Scotty and wife Jamie Epperson of Mulberry Grove, Illinois; grandchildren Chad and wife Alisha Epperson of Ozark, Missouri, Zachary Walters of New Jersey, Blake Walters, Arjan Epperson, Lucas Epperson and Karlynn Epperson all of Mulberry Grove, Illinois; three great grandchildren Erik, Freay and Runa Epperson; one sister Grace Kaysinger of Cuba; two sisters-in-law Carol Bender of Danville, Pennsylvania and Gail and husband Wayne Kohler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, three brothers-in-law Ronnie Stevens of Danville, Pennsylvania, Richie and wife Pat Stevens of Homer, Louisiana, Robbie and wife Theresa Stevens of Los Angeles, California, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, March 6, 2020 from 4:00 till 9:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 7057 Old 66, Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Knights of Columbus, 7057 Old 66, Cuba with Pastor Don Martin officiating. Special recorded music will be "Go Rest High on that Mountain", "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "Don't Let Me Cross Over".

Interment and prayers will follow at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba with Pastor Woodrow Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cuba Freewill Baptist Church, Cuba Lions Club or the Cuba Lodge #312 in Bob's memory.

The Mizell Funeral Home is honored to be serving Bob's family.

"Thanks, Bob, for the memories, laughter, stories and great friendship."

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Friday, March 6th, 2020 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Cuba Knights of Columbus
Address: 7057 Old 66 CUBA, MO 65453

Service

When: Saturday, March 7th, 2020 10:00am
Location: Cuba Knights of Columbus
Address: 7057 Old 66 CUBA, MO 65453

Interment

Location: Kinder Cemetery
Address: Rt. 66 CUBA, MO 65453