Mary Lou Mullen

I wish to pay this tribute to a wonderful wife and companion who I loved dearly for many, many years. Mary is my wonderful companion of 54 years. Mary lived in Jerome, Idaho for most of her single life. She was born in Mountain Grove, Missouri on July 7, 1934, and moved to Idaho at a young age. She had a wonderful family. Her Father, Finis Benton and Mother, Minnie (Calhoun) Benton were as wonderful parents as any child could want. She has four brothers and sisters; Ilene, Wanda, James and Johnny. Her Father, Mother, Ilene and Johnny preceded her in death. Mary loved her family very much. Mary was a Senior in High School when we met during the summer of 1951. After I finished Navy Boot Camp, we married on March 17, 1952 at her parents home in Jerome. During our marriage Mary lived in Kansas, Washington, Idaho, Utah, California, Illinois, Missouri and Colorado. She did not complain but always supported me as we moved from job to job. Mary is the loving Mother of Douglas Eugene, Paul Benton, Paul Andrew, Melisa Ann Darr and Aaron John. She has 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition there are many, many others who call Mary 'Mother' or 'Grandmother.' She greatly loved all of these children. Mary loved being a Mother and spent her married life as a marvelous homemaker. She is a wonderful Mother and an affectionate and devoted Wife. Mary is a faithful daughter of her Father in Heaven. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1957. As a member she served in the Relief Society, Sunday School, Young Women and Primary organizations. She loved working with the children in Primary. Mary was always available for compassionate service to those in need. She visited the sick and sheltered the homeless. Shortly after we moved to Aurora, Mary gave a talk in church: ''If we are under shepherds for the Lord we need to give service to each other. If we but can lose ourselves in helping others, our problems don't seem so great. King Benjamin proclaimed, 'When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.' '(Mosiah 2:17) In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul teaches that faith, hope, and charity are abiding. 'And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.' Mary abided in charity, truly she was a faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ. In 1965 Mary and I went to the House of the Lord. On November 9, 1965 we were sealed for Time and Eternity in the Oakland California Temple. Now we have the opportunity of being an eternal family with our lovely children. Mary always had a smile. It was wonderful to be around her. Many did not know how much suffering she experienced with her chronic illnesses. But she would not want us to talk about that. She always tried to look on the bright side of things. So the things about Mary we remember are: love, charity, compassion, service, faithfulness, service, happiness, motherhood, and a wonderful mother and wife. All who knew her in this life will miss her. All who knew her will always remember her and love her. Do not shed tears of sorrow, for she is free from suffering. If you shed tears let them be tears of happiness and joy for being blessed to know Mary. Wes Mary is survived by her beloved husband Wesley E. Mullen Jr., of Aurora; children, Douglas E. (Rebecca A.) Mullen; Paul B. (Rebecca S.) Mullen; Paul A. (Joyce) Mullen; Melisa A. (Clint) Darr; and Aaron J. Mullen; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Wanda Kober; and brother, James (Joeline) Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ilene Scheer and brother, Johnny Benton. A visitation for Mary will be held on Sunday, August 27th, from 6:00-8:00pm, at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave, Denver. A Graveside service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Blvd., Denver, on Monday, August 28th, beginning at 1:00pm. Family and friends will meet at 12:50pm, Staging Area "A".