Man, set to get married, dies in Middletown industrial accident

These were the best of times for Johnathan Eric Mullins, 22, a 2012 Middletown High School graduate, his family said.

He was set to marry his fiancee Jabreiel Scott next month and had arranged pre-marriage counseling sessions with Pastor Ray Phillips from Stratford Heights Church of God.

But those dreams ended last week when Mullins was killed in an industrial accident at Granger Plastics Co., 1600 Made Industrial Drive.

He died July 20 from blunt force head trauma, and his death was ruled accidental, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office released Monday following the autopsy. After the accident, Mullins was transported to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, then to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he died later that day.

He was injured while operating a machine at Granger Plastics Co., where he had worked for 18 months, his mother said.

Jim Cravens, president of Granger Plastics, said he was “devastated” by the accident and he called Mullins “a valuable member of our team.”

Then he added: “He was an exceptional young man.”

Cravens said there are cameras located throughout the plant and footage of the “horrific accident” should assist in the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s investigation. The video was “quite telling,” Cravens said.

Carrie Mullins said her son was outgoing and enjoyed gaming. Mostly, she said, she will miss his hugs.

Pastor Phillips said Mullins grew up in the church and he never knew a stranger, never spoke negatively about people.

“He was just one of those great guys,” Phillips said. “He was a wonderful person, and we’re all heartbroken.”

Mullins is survived by his parents, Robert and Carrie Mullins; his brothers, Joshua (Mindy) Mullins, James Mullins and Tyler (Briana) Harrell; and his grandparents, Thomas (Patricia) Spade and Phyllis Mullins. He was preceded in death by his son, William Theodore.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Baker-Stevens-Parramore Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life Service at 10 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Ray Phillips officiating. Interment will be at the Butler County Memorial Park.

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