Mary A. Bulen

Mary Ann Bulen, age 75, of Monmouth, Ill., passed away at 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11. 2009, at Monmouth Nursing Home. Mary was born on May 8, 1933, in Canton, Ill., the daughter of Edgar and Dorothy White Saville. Mary was raised in Canton, moving to Monmouth in the fourth grade. She attended Monmouth Public Schools and graduating from Monmouth High School in 1951. She then attended Monmouth College and graduated in 1955. Mary married Donald E. Bulen on September 27, 1955, in Memphis, Missouri, at the First United Methodist Church. Her husband was in the Air force for twenty years, and they have lived in New Jersey, Alaska, Kansas, Florida, Minnesota, and finally settling in Monmouth. They have been married for fifty-three years. Mary owns her family farm that has been in her family for 180 years and has one of the oldest barns in Warren County. Her family has lived in Warren and Henderson County since the early 1800's. Mary was the assistant manager at "Hardees" in Monmouth for eleven years and for eleven years was teacher's aide at Union Elementary School in Biggsville, Illinois. She also was employed at Country Fun in Biggsville for a time. Mary enjoyed teaching, being on her computer, researching genealogy of her family, reading, and country music. She loved her flowers and enjoyed working in her garden. Her children all graduated from Yorkwood High School, where she enjoyed attending all of their activities, and then she also enjoyed going to her grandchildren's activities. Mary was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth, a 50 year member of the D.A.R., Chaplain of UCC Peoria Chapter 35 of Order of the Eastern Star, Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 455 in New Jersey. Mary is survived by her husband Donald E. Bulen, Sr. of Monmouth, son, Harold E. Bulen & Maggie of Joplin, Mo., daughter Barbara S. Blakley of Monmouth, son George E. Bulen of Monmouth, son Donald E. Bulen Jr. & Debbie of Fort Knox, Ky., and daughter Cynthia L. McVey & Donnie of Oquakwa, Ill. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and five step grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and grandparents. Services:A funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2009, at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Interment will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Marceline, Mo. at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16. Mary's family will be present to receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Turnbull's. A memorial fund is being established for either Monmouth Nursing Home or First United Methodist Church in Monmouth.