John E. Gillen

John E. Gillen, 67, of rural Monmouth, IL, passed away at 10:05 a.m. Sunday, July 5, 2015, at the Monmouth Nursing Home. He was born on December 3, 1947 in Monmouth, the son of William E. and Marian (Engdahl) Gillen. John was raised and educated in Warren County and graduated from Warren High School in 1965. He later attended Western Illinois University. John married Ann Gibson on May 11, 1968 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Monmouth. John farmed all of his adult life on the Gillen Family Farms; he also remodeled houses with his brothers as "HMS" House Makeover Services. John enjoyed fast pitch softball, was an avid reader, teller of great stories, enjoyed having fun with his nieces and nephews, and watching his grandchildren grow and attending their many activities. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Monmouth, member of the Knights of Columbus, Lenox Township Supervisor for over 25 years; he served as the President of the Warren County Prime Beef Festival in 1994, and Past President of the ICS and Roseville School Boards. Surviving John is his wife Ann Gillen of rural Monmouth, one daughter Andrea (Curt) Crum of Smithshire, one son, Mark (Stefani) Gillen of Monmouth, four grandchildren; Casey and Joe Crum; Addison and Jackson Gillen. Also surviving are his siblings; Peggy (Tom) Casteel, Kathy (Lonnie) Johnson, Billy (Cynthia) Gillen, Ed Gillen, Jean (Dan) Butcher; his Gibson Family, John (Linda) Gibson, Scott (Karen) Gibson, Jane Newberry, and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one niece Jill Gibson, one nephew Doug Reynolds, brother-in-law Mike Newberry, and best friend David Lee. Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, with a Rosary service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Memorials can be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception School, or Monmouth Nursing Home.