Mary Lou Gillen

Mary Lou Gillen, age 95, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, passed away at home with her family by her side, on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

She was born on May 27, 1929 in Upper Sandusky, to Nobel and Ethel (Caldwell) Larick-Williams, both of whom are deceased.  She married Richard L. "Dick" Gillen on September 21, 1946 in Greenup, Kentucky, and he passed away on May 18, 2010.

Mary is survived by her sons: Mike (Karen) Gillen, Jerry Gillen, and Mark Gillen, all of Upper Sandusky.  Grandchildren, Casey (Kay) Gillen, Cory Gillen, Robyn (Roscoe) Caceres, Cindy (Brian) Bliss, Diana (Rick) Moore, and great grandchildren, Grant, Will, Reagen, Emma,  Zacharia, Seth, Reid and Xavier.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and her extended family in Mexico, Mildred and Lorenzo Pallanco, Diego Pallanco and Doris Barcelo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Rebecca Gillen, brothers, Allen and Leo Larick, and a sister, Olivine Larick.

Mary was a 1947 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, and a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Upper Sandusky. She also was active with the Hospital Guild, where she had served as president.

She was an entrepreneur and a savvy business woman,  having co-owned and operated along with Dick, The Snack Shack, formerly located in Downtown Upper Sandusky, and later Mike's Drive In for 26 years.  Before that she had worked for the former Millington in Upper Sandusky,          and GE in Bucyrus.

For hobbies, Mary Lou enjoyed traveling with her husband, bird watching, going to Mexico during the winter months, and spending time with her family.

Funeral services for Mary Lou Gillen will be private, with burial taking place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Upper Sandusky.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wyandot Memorial, and or the Ronald McDonald House, and can be sent to Lucas Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 43351.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lucasbatton.com.

Hospice of Wyandot Memorial

Ronald McDonald House