Karen A. Gillen

Karen A. Gillen, age 80, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 9:08 am on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Legacy Estates in Monmouth, Illinois. Karen was born on September 19, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois and is the daughter of Michael H. and Ann L. Schneider O'Connor. Karen was raised and educated in Chicago where she attended and graduated from High School. She then attended and received a degree in Chemistry from Mary Crest College in Davenport, Iowa. She began work as a chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Peoria, Illinois until she married John Richard "Dick" Gillen on January 13, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois. They began their married life in Monmouth, where Karen was a homemaker and stay-at-home mom for their children and they were long time members of Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Dick preceded Karen in his death on August 23, 2009. Karen also worked with her very good friend Judy James and did painting and wall papering locally for many homes locally. Lastly Karen worked as Administrative Assistant for the Buchanan Center for the Arts for a number of years. She also was awarded the Grace Buchanan Service Award and very much enjoyed being in her local card group. She loved all sports and did quilting and cross stitch for her family and friends. Her family and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She is survived by her daughter Colleen and Roger Lipes of Iowa City, Iowa, and three sons, Greg and Judy Gillen of LaPorte, Indiana, Tom and Marsha Gillen of Lebanon, Ohio, and Shawn and Katie Gillen of Tybee Island, Georgia. There are grandchildren, Ryan Lipes of Brooklyn, New York, Haley Champion (Corey) of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Katie Lipes in Iowa City, Iowa. Megan and Sarah Gillen at home in Indiana, Paul, John, Caroline, and Elisabeth Gillen at home in Ohio, and Georgia, Lilla, and Scarlett Gillen at home in Georgia. She is preceded in her death by her parents, her husband "Dick" and her brother Michael. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Monday, October 1, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, Illinois. A rosary will be recited on Sunday evening at 5:00 pm prior to visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 with her family receiving their friends at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Interment will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Monmouth, Illinois. Fellowship is to follow in the Mary Twomey Hall of Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth. A memorial fund is being established for the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth.