Millard H. Rullman, 85, of Aurora, IN, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2016 in Lawrenceburg, IN.
He was born Saturday, July 19, 1930 in Milan, Indiana, Son of the late Harry Rullman and the late Alma Benning Rullman.
Millard was an owner/funeral director for the Rullman Funeral Home, and retired after 50 years of service. Millard’s father, Harry Rullman, served in the U.S. Army in WWI. He and Mr. Holthause then started Holthause-Rullman Funeral Home in Aurora, Indiana about 1921.
Millard joined his father, Harry, in the business in 1953 after graduating from college and embalming school. Thee months later, Millard was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years.
In 1956 he married Sally Perrine of Lawrenceburg, with whom he remained in love for the next six decades.
Holthause-Rullman Funeral Home used to be on Main Street. In 1959 the Rullmans bought a new and current location at 219 Mechanic Street. They transformed the former house into a funeral home with extensive remodeling. After his father retired, Millard and his brother, Roger, provided caring funeral services to Dearborn County and surrounding communities.
Millard was widely known as a kind and caring man. His quiet faith, gentle demeanor, integrity, sense of humor, and disposition were evident in the lives he touched during his 50-year career. Millard brought comfort to many friends and neighbors in the community as he helped thousands through their most difficult times. He loved people and animals, but most of all he loved his family. In return, he was a deeply-loved and highly respected, and will be missed by many friends and family.
He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon, and in later years he also attended the First Baptist Church of Aurora. Millard was a graduate of Aurora High School, where he played on the basketball, track, and football teams; Valparaiso University and Indiana College of Mortuary Science.
He was a past president of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, a founding board member of the Harbor View Apartments and served on the Dearborn County Hospital Foundation Board for 20 years, which he also led as president.
Millard was a Korean War Veteran, a past member of the Aurora American Legion, the Aurora Lions Club and the Aurora Business and Professional Association.
He greatly enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and squirrels in his yard and befriending the alley cats in Aurora. He also enjoyed fishing and camping with his family.
Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Sally Kate Perrine Rullman; daughters, Cindy Kate Rullman of Lexington, KY, Betsy (Rob) Alma Rullman Schutte of Mason, OH, Lisa Gail Rullman of Jackson, WY; siblings, Joyce (Gordy) Rich of Lomita, CA, Melvin (Judy) Rullman of Moline, IL, Roger (Patty) Rullman of Aurora, IN, Roy (Linda) Rullman of Lafayette, IN; grandchildren, Caroline Kate Schutte of Mason, OH, and Benjamin John Schutte of Mason, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Alma, and sister, Phyllis Croll this past week.
Friends will be received from 3:00-6:00 pm Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the Rullman Hunger Funeral Home, Aurora, Indiana.
Services will be held Monday at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Charles Hill officiating.
Interment will follow in the River View Cemetery, Aurora, Indiana.
Military graveside services will be conducted by members of local Veterans Service Organizations.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to P.A.W.S. of Dearborn County Animal Shelter, the Alzheimer’s Association, or St. John’s Lutheran School. If unable to attend services please call the funeral home office at 812-926-1450 and we will notify the family of your donation with a card.
www.rullmans.com