EDINA, MINN. — Michael J. Mullin, a grain merchandiser for major milling companies, died Jan. 23 at the age of 79.

Mr. Mullin entered the grain business in the early 1960s following four years’ of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduating from the University of Minnesota.

Mr. Mullin spent many years with International Multifoods Corp., taking assignments in New York, Kansas City and Minneapolis. He retired from the company in 1986 and established a grain company — Mullin and Mullin Grain — with his father James Mullin.

While operating Mullin and Mullin, Mr. Mullin moved to Kansas City and worked with Cereal Food Processors, Inc., until 2006. He remained active in the grain business until a month before his death.

Mr. Mullin was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years Dianne Lundblad Mullin, who passed away about one month earlier, on Dec. 14, 2014. He also was preceded in death by parents James (who died in 2001 at the age of 99) and Elsa Mullin, and a brother-in-law Norb Winter. He is survived by a daughter, Katie (Scott) Reddin; son, Jim; Sister, Karen Winter; and four grandchildren.