Josephine (Gutierrez) Mullen

77, of Van Wert, died at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2005, at her residence.

She was born September 27, 1927, in Lansing, Mich., the daughter of the late Longino and Conception (Castenda) Marez. She first married John Gutierrez, who preceded her in death. On May 10, 1997, in Van Wert, she married Frederick S. Mullen Jr., who survives at home.

Mrs. Mullen retired from Aeroquip after 15 years of service. Most of her life was spent raising her family and she also worked at Van Wert Manufacturing Company and did house cleaning and ironing for many families in Van Wert. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, its Rosary Altar Society, Catholic Ladies of Columbia, Wapakoneta Eagles Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 in Van Wert, Wapakoneta American Legion Auxiliary and was a TWIG volunteer for Van Wert County Hospital.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by six sons, John (Paula) Gutierrez of Paulding, Gil (Denise) Gutierrez, Dan Gutierrez and David (Marsha) Gutierrez, all of Van Wert, Ron (Pat) Gutierrez of Alpharetta, Ga., and Randy (Jeanene) Gutierrez of Rockford; five daughters, Diann (Jeff) Ebel of Grover Hill, Sue Szuch of Elida, Lou (Steve) Biberstine of Ohio City, Bernadine (Klayton) Hooper of Cloverdale and Mariea (Dan) Moreland of Van Wert; a sister, Mary Torres of Grand Rapids, Mich., two brothers, Salvadore Marez of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Genero Marez of Atlanta, Ga.; 23 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa; one sister, Connie Trevino, and a son-in-law, Dave Szuch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, April 8, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, with Father Charles Obinwa officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, where The Rosary will be recited at 8 Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Church and School and the TWIG association of Van Wert County Hospital.