ULLIN, Ill. — Sam Ulen, age 91, of Ullin, Ill., went to be with the Lord at 8:12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on December 28, 1921, in Ullin, Ill., the son of Fred and Verce (Downey) Ulen. They preceded him in death.

He married Hazel Weible on August 27, 1949. She survives.

Sam was a member of the Ullin Baptist Church for over 60 years. He was a lifelong farmer and Farm Bureau member, and a heavy equipment operator. He served as Mayor of Ullin from 1957-1963. He was a 65 year member of Local 318 IUOE. He served his country honorably during WWII as a U.S. Navy Seabee in the 36th Battalion, and he was active in their reunions for many years. He was also a member of the Mounds VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel, of Ullin; three children, Mike (Pam) Ulen of Ullin, Becky Rodney of Energy, and Sammy (Cathy) Ulen of Ullin; seven grandchildren, Jarrod (Diane) Ulen of Union City, Tenn., Lesley Ulen of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Lindsey Ulen (Michael Washington) of Farmington, Mo., Kerri Youngman of Herrin, Kristi (Rowe) Viola of Benton, La., Marissa (Adam) Reynolds of Wolf Lake and Brian (Lexie) Ulen of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; 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 on Friday, March 22, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ullin Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 22, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Ullin Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with military honors by area veterans.

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

Crain Funeral Home in Ullin is in charge of the arrangements.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.