Gary D. Mullane age 71, of Hanover, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at home surrounded by his family and friends after a courageous battle with Esophageal Cancer. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 12, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hanover, with Father Dennis Morrissy as Celebrant. Burial of cremated remains will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover with military rites accorded by the Hanover VFW Post #5300. A visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 prior to the mass at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to FHN Hospice of Freeport, Illinois, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and/or the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department in Gary’s memory.
Gary was born September 20, 1946 in Hanover, the son of Benjamin and Leona (Weber) Mullane. He attended Hanover High School and graduated with the Class of 1964. Gary enlisted in the United States Army on February 14, 1966. He served with the Armored Cavalry stationed in Garmish, Germany, until his release in 1968. Gary was united in marriage to Donna Jean Schweitzer on April 12, 1969 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hanover.
Gary worked for the Eaton Corporation for 36 years, in maintenance and worked his way up to Tooling Engineer, retiring in 2004. He joined the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department in July 1976 and was still active on the Fire Protection District Board.
Gary was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church as an usher and on the decorating committee for many years. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, hunting, going on joy rides to see how many deer he could see. Most of all, Gary cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.
Gary will be dearly missed by his wife, Donna Jean of 49 years; two sons, Benjamin (Wendy) Mullane of Galena, Illinois, Matthew (Amy) Mullane of Denver, Colorado; his beautiful grandchildren, Mackenzie and Sawyer Mullane, Isabell and Maiya Mullane; two step-grandsons, Drew (Aly) Flack and Logan Flack; three step-great-grandchildren, Kylie, Eli and Levi; two sisters, Donna (Harold) Zink of Rockfalls, Illinois, Patricia (Larry) Lathrop; brother in-law, Dwaine Mohr of Unionville, Missouri; many nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Edward Flynn and sister, Shirley Mohr.
Gary’s family would like to thank every one of his Doctors, Palliative Care Nurses and Hospice staff for the amazing and comforting care they provided.