Joanne C Mullen

Joanne C Mullen, age 77, of Machesney Park, Illinois passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Joanne was born in Beloit, Wisconsin on June 28, 1946 to Henry and Virginia Nehls. In 1964 Joanne graduated from Beloit Memorial High School. On July 16, 1965 she married the love of her life, Gary Mullen in Rockford, Illinois. Joanne had met Gary while working at Barber Coleman Company. Together Joanne and Gary owned and operated Mullen's Corner Tap in Davis, Illinois. She was a girl scout leader and enjoyed gambling and bowling. Later in life Joanne loved feeding the visiting animals in her yard and sitting down to enjoy an old western movie or watching her beloved Miami Dolphins play on Sunday.

Joanne is survived by her children; Lori (Joe Hewett) Koelker, Candy Martin, Shannon (Todd) Mckiski, and Daniel (Mercedes) Mullen; grandchildren, Nickolas, Cory (Kelsey), Kyle (Joelee), Steven, Lleyton, Adella, Erica (Justin), Lauryn (Malik), Alyssa, and Santana; 9 great grandchildren with two on the way; siblings, John Nehls, Steven Nehls, Michael Nehls, and Janice Jensen; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Mullen; great grandson, Ethan; brother, Richard "Terry" Nehls; parents, Henry and Virginia Nehls.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 1pm until the time of service at 2pm at Advantage Funeral Home (7000 W. State Street, Rockford, IL 61102). Interment to follow at Willwood Burial Park. The family would like to extend a special thank you to UW Health Swedish American, the staff at Serenity House, and Joanne's special friends, Marena Abney and Peggy Perrin.