Obituary: Mullen

Mary Etta Mullen, 78, Fairbury, died at 10:49 am Friday, November 14, 2025 at her residence, Fairbury.

Mary Etta was born March 26, 1947 in Fairbury, IL the daughter of Norval and Wilma (Nussbaum) Knapp.  She married Daniel Mullen on November 25, 1970 in Peoria, IL.  He survives in Fairbury.

She is also survived by two daughters, Kate (Jeff) Austman, Forrest, and Martie (Jeff) Reese, Edgerton, WI; two sons, Daniel O. Mullen Jr., Arrowsmith, and Claigh Turpin, Morton; ten grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Also surviving are six siblings, Charles (Paula) Knapp, Bloomington, Dale (Barb) Knapp, Seneca, Harlan (Jean) Knapp, Chenoa, Art (Valerie) Knapp, Pontiac, Alvin (Suzanne) Knapp, Forrest and Marjorie Yoder, Bloomington.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Mary Etta received her Bachelor of Science Nursing degree from Joliet College. After college she served as a Registered Nurse for many years having worked at the Red Cross, Eureka Hospital and Methodist Hospital, Peoria. She was one of the nurses for the family medicine residency in Peoria and loved to help train the young doctors. More recently, she served on the Livingston County Mental Health Board.

Mary Etta loved being surrounded by friends and family. She loved cooking and baking and trying many different foods (she was a foodie before it was fashionable). Mary Etta was a wonderful seamstress. Mary Etta was a terrific gardner and truly loved being in the garden encouraging the plants to grow. She was not fond of the wild morning glory and bindweed that had taken over her gardens in the last several years.

She loved to start projects. We will likely continue to find those started projects for years to come.

Mary Etta was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Friday at the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury.

Her funeral will be held at 10:00 am Friday also at the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury with the Ministers of the Church officiating.  Mary Etta was perpetually late, so the funeral may not actually start until 10:15. Burial will be in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Fairbury.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury or LifePoints, Morton.