David McMullen

Dave McMullen departed this earth on September 18, 2025. He peacefully passed away at the age of 71 in his childhood home with his children and sister by his side.

Born November 28, 1953, David Brian McMullen grew up in the rural community of Hendersonville, south of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest brother to Ron and Donna. He was a curious, adventurous young man who loved to play with his numerous "Kilgore cousins" on nearby farms. Dave and the cousins regularly explored the woods surrounding his house. This sparked a life-long love of the outdoors, hunting, trapping, and fishing. His idyllic childhood of play and adventure with his close-knit extended family also established life-long family bonds and Dave's passion for family.

Dave's daring spirit continued in his teenage years as he enjoyed dirt bikes, fast cars, wrestling, and some of the most challenging gymnastic events. However, his classmates also remember him as contemplative, creative, studious, and kind. He was a gifted sketch artist, pottery artist, and band member. Dave graduated among the very top of his Lakeview Class of 1973.

He later graduated from Penn State, and while in State College would eventually meet Iva Marie Holt. They married in 1981 and soon made their home on Venango Street in Rocky Grove, where they lived for 32 Years. During those three decades, Dave worked as a supervisor at Polk Center.

Dave was a father of three children: Ryan, Mariah, and Geralyn. He was a playful, silly, quick-witted, and engaged father who loved to spend intentional time with his kids. Dave eagerly taught his children about family traditions and his many hobbies, but just as eagerly helped his children cultivate their own distinct interests.

His life revolved around his Christian faith, his family, and those many hobbies. Dave was among a handful of the "family historians" who diligently gathered family photos, stories, and heirlooms. He loved history, voraciously consuming books of historical accounts from the French and Indian War to the Civil War and World War II. He was an amateur archaeologist and former President of the French Creek Archaeological Society who loved to walk freshly plowed cornfields in search of indigenous artifacts.

Dave was fulfilled by passing down and practicing traditions. He was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, trapping, hiking, and fishing. He loved to share his passion, knowledge, and respect of firearms. Dave was a certified hunter education instructor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for more than two decades.

After his wife's untimely passing at the age of 61, Dave returned to live in his childhood home in Hendersonville. He enjoyed spending his twilight years back in Mercer County, visiting with the many cousins he grew up around. His heart slowly weakened over the last decade due to congestive heart failure. After a lengthy hospital stay, he spent his final two weeks at home greeting the dozens of visitors each day who stopped in to say their final "goodbyes." He spent hours each day in his backyard, visiting with family, watching the leaves slowly turn, and watching the whitetail deer snack on the apples falling from his beloved apple trees.

Dave is survived by his son Ryan McMullen and Marci Ouellette of Oklahoma City; daughter Mariah McDaniel and Dan McDaniel of Titusville; daughter Geralyn McMullen; brother Ron McMullen and Lonna McMullen of Meadville; sister Donna Kordich of Reading; sister-in-law Gail Morehouse and Glenn Morehouse of Long Lake, New York; brother-in-law Mike Holt and Deborah Holt of Bergholz, Ohio; sister-in-law Jenny Dumas and husband Elias Dumas of Woodland, California; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Iva Marie McMullen; parents Donald McMullen and Geraldine (Kilgore) McMullen; and grandparents Floyd Kilgore and Jessie (Buckley) Kilgore, and Carson McMullen and Nina (Gardner) McMullen.

Dave's family will remember him as clever, loving, determined, and highly intelligent. Like any good hunter, Dave found his own path and followed it faithfully. The next time you see a white-tailed buck grazing along the edge of the woods, his family asks that you smile and think of Dave and know that he is now looking upon those Pennsylvania woods from up above.

The memorial service for Dave McMullen will be held on Saturday, October 11, at New Lebanon Community Church, 4166 Mercer St., Sandy Lake. Friends and family are invited to gather for fellowship and the sharing of memories at 10:00 a.m. Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Interment will follow at Zion Cemetery, Perrine Corners.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin.

Online condolences may be sent to Dave's family by visiting huffguthrie.com