Joseph E. Bullen
Joseph Edwin Bullen, age 82, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2021.
The eldest child of Fred and Bertha (Lasley) Bullen, Joe was born in Mason on July 6, 1939. After graduating from Mason High School in 1958, Joe completed an associate degree at Lansing Community College and began his 32-year career as draftsman and bridge inspector with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bridge Design Division.
Following his retirement from MDOT, Joe embarked on his second career as Benton Township Supervisor, a position he held for 24 years. For 22 of these years, Joe also took on the role of tax assessor for several Eaton County Townships. He served on several committees during this time, including the Potterville-Benton Fire Board, the Board of Review, the Charlotte Recreation Board, and the CARA Recycling Board. Throughout this service to his community, Joe was known and respected for his honesty and integrity.
Joe grew up on a small family farm west of Mason, which likely fostered his undying love for farming. Active in 4-H throughout his youth, Joe met the love of his life, Agnes Webster of Webberville, at a 4-H event. Joe and Agnes were married in November 1964 and settled in their current home near Charlotte in 1976. Agnes had also grown up on a farm, so their involvement in the local Farm Bureau was a natural.
Somehow, Joe still found time in his busy life for collecting stamps and model trains, and he always had time for family. He was a quiet man of few words, yet his sense of humor was always at the ready with a witty comment. He never missed an opportunity to pick on the people who meant the most to him. Joe loved animals and every dog he met sensed that Joe was a soft touch with a ready treat.
Intelligent, creative, honest, hard-working, loving, and kind – Joe will be greatly missed.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Agnes; their two children, Sandra Benward of Potterville and Joseph W (Lisa) Bullen of Charlotte; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his two sisters, Bernetta (Michael) Olin of St. Johns and Bertha (James Kruse) Bullen of Okemos; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Fred Lewis Bullen of Mason and Rex Elbert Bullen of Ontonagon.
Funeral services were held on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. Burial took place at Benton Township Cemetery.
Those wishing to donate in Joe’s memory are asked to consider the First Baptist Church of Charlotte, the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To view Joe’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.