Muriel Jean Cullen

Muriel "Mary" Cullen, 94, a long-time resident of Rantoul, passed away on May 15, 2025, in Savoy, Illinois. She was born in Wickham Market, England, the daughter of Alan and Edith Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Cullen, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran.

Mary had a career in the Rantoul City Schools and retired as a cafeteria manager. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Rantoul Garden Club. Mary and her husband, John, were involved with the Air Force Retiree Association.

In her desire to further her education, she earned an associate degree from Parkland College. Earlier in her life, she worked as a seamstress, and in her free time, she found joy in knitting and sewing as hobbies.

Mary was a caring mother to her sons, John and Stephen, and her daughter, Jean. She is survived by John (Cathy) Cullen and Stephen Cullen. She was a loving grandmother to Ryan (Sarah) Cullen, Andrew (Sarah) Cullen, Lauren Cullen, Catherine Cullen, and Cara (Bryan) Mills. She was a great-grandmother to Declan Cullen, Bria Cullen, and Hadleigh Mills.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Cullen, and her daughter, Jean Jones.

Mary will be remembered for her smiles, kindness, strength, and unwavering love of her family and friends.

A mass in celebration of Mary's life was celebrated at St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Rantoul, Illinois on May 20, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to either the CureLGMD2i Foundation here: CureLGMD2i Foundation - Supporting Scientific Research for LGMD2I/R9 (checks payable to "CureLGMD2i" can be mailed to: CureLGMD2i Foundation, 590 Centerville Rd #340, Lancaster, PA 17601 -- with a notation) or the Muscular Dystrophy Association here: Donate to Muscular Dystrophy Association (checks payable to "MDA" can be mailed to: MDA, Inc., PO Box 7410354, Chicago, IL 60674-0354 -- with a notation) in memory of Muriel "Mary" Cullen.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center's Lux Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave. Rantoul, IL 61866, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please join Mary's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.