Dr. Charles "Charlie" J. Tull

Dr. Charles J. Tull of South Bend passed away peacefully Tuesday morning May 2, 2023 in Notre Dame, IN.  

He was born on August 28, 1931 to John J. Tull and Anna “Paull” Tull in Runnemede, New Jersey.

After earning his high school diploma from Maryknoll College High School, Clarks Summit, PA; he enlisted in the Air Force in 1951, serving in the Air Weather Service in Omaha, NE where in 1953 he married his one and only love Mildred “Mickey” Banker. While in the Air Force he graduated from Creighton University, Omaha.  He then earned his M.A. and PHD in History at the University of Notre Dame while residing in the veteran’s village known as “Vetville”.   He taught American history at DePaul University, Chicago, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa; University of Notre Dame, and spent the last 25 plus years of his career teaching history at Indiana University South Bend. He was the proud author of the book “Father Coughlin and the New Deal”.  He was also honored in 1996 to write the inscription on the War Memorials in Indianapolis honoring Indiana Korean and Vietnam War veterans, while also assisting with Vietnam war refugee relocation efforts in the South Bend area back in 1976. 

As the patriarch of the South Bend Tulls, he and his wife Mickey raised six kids on Wakewa Ave (North Shore Triangle) and were proud parishioners at St. Patrick’s Parish, South Bend.  He was proud to send all six kids to St. Joseph’s High School, loved St. Joe Football, and gleamed with pride knowing that all six of his kids went on to earn college degrees.   

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of more than 65 years Mildred Banker “Mickey” Tull, brothers Robert, Jack and Thomas (Jay) Tull and his sisters Betty (Tull) Waldis and Hazel (Tull) McLane. He is survived by his beloved sister The Honorable Theresa A. Tull of Springfield, VA, and six children, Charles R. Tull (Joy) of Portland, ME; Robert F. Tull (Meg) of South Bend, IN; Richard G. Tull (Mary) of Kennesaw, GA; John P. Tull (Laurie) of Gainesville, FL: daughters Mary Tull O’Leary of South Bend and Barbara C. Dwyer (John) of Louisville, KY. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

He loved his Faith, his family, his country and Notre Dame!  He loved spending time with his grandchildren! He enjoyed vacations at the Jersey Shore, especially his favorite place (heaven on earth) Avalon. He also loved his Philadelphia Phillies and adored his loyal collie dogs over the years too.  He never missed out on watching the Irish in person or on tv, and especially grew close to the Notre Dame women’s basketball program. He was the biggest cheerleader of everyone in the family!  He will be dearly missed but his legacy lives on in so many!

The entire family would also like to extend thanks to Mary Tull O’Leary for her love and devotion to our father in his final months. 

A visitation for Charles will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am The St. Joseph Chapel, 54515 IN 933, Notre Dame, IN 46556. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am in the St. Joseph Chapel. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities West Region Office C/o Refugee Services, 1817 Miami St. South Bend, IN 46613 in Charles's honor. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

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