Lane Mullen’s family referred to him as “Mr. Latrobe.”

A lifelong resident of the city, “he just seemed to know everyone because of the fire hall,” said his sister-in-law Mary Lou Myers, referencing his 36 years as a volunteer firefighter with Latrobe’s Good Friends Hose Company No. 5.

“He decided 36 years ago he wanted to volunteer in the community because he loved Latrobe, and he thought becoming a volunteer fireman was what he wanted to do,” said his other sister-in-law, Connie Marucco. “He not only was a fireman, he was president for many, many years.”

Mr. Lane R. Mullen, 66, of Latrobe died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, at his home. Born in Latrobe on Sept. 19, 1953, he was the son of Richard and Esther Mullen.

Mr. Mullen graduated from Greater Latrobe Senior High School in 1971 along with his future wife, Patricia Mullen. But the couple did not get together until Mr. Mullen pursued her while she was working at Troutman’s department store in downtown Latrobe.

“He’d find some time to go in and see Patty, and finally she said yes when he asked her out,” Marucco said. “It took a few times.”

They were together for 41 years after that.

Mr. Mullen received a political science degree from Saint Vincent College and pursued that passion by keeping up with current events and attending Latrobe Council meetings. For work, Mr. Mullen became a self-employed industrial salesman, selling items to machine and body shops.

In his free time, he ran bingo games at the fire station.

“He headed up a successful bingo for many, many years and grew to love all the people who came to play bingo and know most all of them by name,” Marucco said. “He just thought all of those things were important.”

Mr. Mullen enjoyed spending time with his son, teaching him to hunt, fish and camp, skills he learned in Boy Scouts and as an eventual Eagle Scout. He also enjoyed cowboy movies, history and watching John Wayne movies.

He was a lifelong member of Latrobe United Methodist Church, attended adult Sunday school and sat on the board of the Latrobe Federal Credit Union.

Mr. Mullen had a strong bond with his two grandchildren, one of whom was named after him.

In addition to his wife and sisters-in-law, he is survived by his son, Clinton Thomas Mullen, and his grandchildren.

Donations can be made to Latrobe United Methodist Church, 440 Main St., or to Good Friends Hose Company No. 5, 45 Ave. A, Latrobe.

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