James Dale Mulch, 83, a Independence, MO resident passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at Monterey Park Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Independence, MO. His wishes were expressed to his kids to be cremated without a funeral and buried with a tombstone at the Buckner Hills Cemetery in Buckner MO.
James worked as a machinist for Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence for 27 years until he retired at age 55 in 1993.
Jim was born September 24, 1938 to Clarence Raymond “Ray” and Harriet Josephine “Hallie” (Whitney) Mulch at home, on a farm near Ida School in between Narka and Munden, KS. He was the youngest of 4 children. At 10 years old his is big brother Dean gave him a quarter to attend the Hubbell, NE dance, where no one turned him down when he asked them to dance, because he was a real dancer! While his brother Dean was dating LeeEtta “Lee”, she was Jim’s 6th grade teacher. In 1953 his family moved from Chester, NE to Hebron, NE where he swam every day in the community center pool. He graduated from High School in 1956. On November 17, 1956, he married ‘The Queen’, Carol Joyce Raatz, (Homecoming Queen of Chester, NE), who also had been raised on a farm. Together, they both decided, (like the song), “I’m going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I (we) come!” They took a leap of faith. They raised 3 children and were divorced in 1986. Jim enjoyed swimming when he was younger, gardening, dancing, country music, playing his guitar, KC CHIEFS and KU Basketball, time with family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. ‘Covid’ affected a lot of family time lost.
Survived by his daughter, Terrene Diane (Terri) Mulch of Independence, MO; son, Steven Douglas (Steve) Mulch (Lindsay) of Adrian, MO; grandchildren, Robert James (Bobby) Oberlander (wife Jenn) of Trimble, MO, Daniel Chase (Danny) Oberlander (Courtney) of Kansas City, MO. Travis Michael Mulch (& wife) of Harrisonville, MO, great grandchildren: Gavin, Casey Lynn and Gretchen Mae Oberlander, Brother Dean (wife Lee) of Clarkston, WA, nieces, nephews, & friend Sheila Marlatt. Preceded in Death by his sisters, Shirley Mae Bullock (Clifton Gayle), Lawrence, KS, Patricia Jean Carbonneau, (Ernie), Hebron, NE; beloved son, Daniel Wayne (Dan) Mulch, Independence, MO
Jim will be remembered as a loving, caring Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather & friend. He usually included advice to others with “safety” in mind because this is what he heard every day at Lake City.
Jim might be gone from our site, but not from our hearts. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs, MO. Memories of James and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
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