Karen Kay Mendes

Karen Kay Mendes, age 52, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 2:37 p.m., June 20, 2011 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. She was born on October 25, 1958 in Monmouth, Il., the daughter of Marshall Lewis and Martha Joan Hall Giddings. Karen attended Monmouth High School. She married Chris M. Mendes in Belflower, California in July of 2001. Karen worked as a CNA at the Applegate Nursing Home, the Formfit for a time and Western Stoneware for 15 years all in Monmouth. She also worked for SAS Safety Corp. in Signal Hill, California for 17 years until her health failed. She enjoyed bingo, puzzles, puzzle books, walks on the beach and going for rides and collecting wolves. Karen also liked being outdoors enjoying nature .
Karen is survived by her husband Chris M. Mendes of Galesburg, Ill., her children; Shane Mahnesmith, Timothy James Mahnesmith, and Maria Reveles all of Long Beach, Ca. Her grandchildren; Adriana Medina, Jennifer Medina, and Andrea Medina all of Long Beach, Ca. Also surviving is her mother Martha Lovell of Monmouth, sisters; Peggy Bowling of Monmouth, Dawn Stevens of Monmouth, Marsha Dunn (Gene) of Kirkwood, Ill., and Paula Larson (Tim). Numerous nieces and nephews and aunts also survive.
Karen was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, foster grandparents, father, and step father Randy Lovell.

Services:A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Interment will be in Warren County Memorial Park in Monmouth. Friends may call an hour prior to the service at Turnbulls where her family will be present to receive friends. A memorial fund has been established by her family.