Otto 'Bud" Leroy Hullinger

Otto “Bud” Leroy Hullinger, 87, was born December 16, 1934 in Marion Indiana, where he lived his entire life. He passed away on April 23 after battling cancer. Otto served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. A military funeral honors ceremony and burial will take place at the Marion National Cemetery on April 28 at 1 pm.

Otto was a handsome devil and was lucky to marry the love of his life, Mildred Orr, in 1956. After spending most of his working life at the Dana Corporation, he felt fortunate to retire in his late 50’s to enjoy more of life and travel with Mildred.

He had a passion for bowling and he was exceptionally gifted at it. He was very proud of the three perfect games he bowled over his lifetime and he was recognized for his talent and achievements with many bowling awards and trophies.

Otto was always a good athlete and as a young man he excelled in the boxing ring. He also enjoyed playing ping pong, lawn darts, par-3 golf and other games of skill. Fishing was among his favorite pastimes, as was line dancing and playing Euchre with friends and family. He was a good artist and enjoyed painting in oils. In his earlier days, he painted Christmas murals on windows for local businesses and his own home.

He loved the freedom of going for drives, which also allowed him to indulge his fondness for fast food and his love of sweets. He enjoyed playing the slots at the casinos. As they aged, he and Mildred were able to continue this pastime with the help of their motorized scooters, occasionally terrifying other casino patrons with their adventurous and haphazard scooter skills.

Otto could also be fearless, such as when utilizing his boxing skills to protect his younger brother, Larry, from neighborhood bullies and helping fellow campers when their travel trailer erupted in flames during a vacation in Florida. Otto could be silly and nutty as well as stubborn and challenging. He was a man determined to live life on his own terms.

Otto is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred (Orr) Hullinger, to whom he was devoted and cared for right up to his death, and also sons Michael (Carla) Hullinger, Mark (Kim) Hullinger, daughter Theresa (Eric) Hullinger, step-grandson Nathan Miller, brother Larry (Jenny) Hullinger, sisters-in-law Kathleen (Don) Little and Mrs. Dorothy Orr, numerous wonderful nieces and nephews, and granddog Misty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Acy Otto and Viola Hullinger and his sisters, Armilda Mathias, Leona Cunningham, Jean Double, and Wanda Gutierrez.

Special thanks for all the loving support and caregiving provided to Otto and his family by Kathleen and Don Little, Larry Hullinger, and many nieces and nephews and family members. Thanks also to the amazing hospice nurses and to the staff at the Wesleyan Health and Rehabilitation Center in Marion.