Sam Ulen

ULLIN, Ill. -- Sam Ulen, 91, of Ullin went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Ill.

He was born Dec. 28, 1921, in Ullin, son of Fred and Verce Downey Ulen. He married Hazel Weible on Aug. 27, 1949.

Sam was a member of Ullin Baptist Church for more than 60 years. He was a lifelong farmer and Farm Bureau member, and a heavy equipment operator. He served as mayor of Ullin from 1957 to 1963. He was a 65-year member of Local 318 IUOE.

He served his country honorably during World War II as a U.S. Navy Seabee in the 36th Battalion. He was active in their reunions for many years. He also was a member of the Mounds VFW.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel of Ullin; three children, Mike (Pam) Ulen of Ullin, Becky Rodney of Energy, Ill., and Sammy (Cathy) Ulen of Ullin; seven grandchildren, Jarrod (Diane) Ulen of Union City, Tenn., Lesley Ulen of Cape Girardeau, Lindsey Ulen (Michael Washington) of Farmington, Mo., Kerri Youngman of Herrin, Ill., Kristi (Rowe) Viola of Benton, La., Marissa (Adam) Reynolds of Wolf Lake, Ill., and Brian (Lexie) Ulen of Cape Girardeau.

He also is survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Ryleigh Ulen, Reese Ulen, Eric Evans, Madelyn Washington, Miley Washington, McKenna Washington, Shannon Youngman, Austin Youngman, Hayden Viola, Grayson Viola, Brady Reynolds, Bryce Reynolds, Brock Reynolds and Bryleigh Ulen; nieces, nephews, and other relatives, including Evan Stanley and Sheila Willibey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four siblings, Beulah Scott, Russell Ulen, Fred M. Ulen and Eileen Stanley.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Friday at Ullin Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church. Interment will be in Mount Pisgah Cemetery with military honors by area veterans.

Crain Funeral Home in Ullin is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Pisgah Cemetery or Ullin Cemetery and will be accepted at the church.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.