Mary Ellen Allen, 77 of Paxton, passed away surrounded by her loving family on June 3, 2026.

Mary Ellen Allen was born October 17, 1948, in Paxton, the daughter of Wendell Robert and Arlene Christine Neubauer Coulter.  She married Gary Allen February 16, 1968, at the Sibley United Methodist Church.  He survives.

Along with her husband, Gary, she is survived by their children, Troy (Tami) Allen of Ludlow, Illinois, Nichole (Josh) Faulkner of Princeton, Indiana, Shane Allen of Mahomet, Illinois; four grandchildren, Nathan (Caitlin) Gayheart, Ashley Gayheart (Jarrett Wolken), Madison (Isaiah) Robles, Jaycee Faulkner; three great grandchildren, Hudson and Rory Gayheart, Luca Robles; a sister, Myra Johnson; three brothers, Dale (Phyllis) Coulter, Karl (Barbara) Coulter and Kenneth (Becky) Coulter.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mary graduated from Melvin-Sibley High School in 1966.  She received a bachelor's degree in 1990 and a master's degree in 1994 from the University of Illinois.  Mary was a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and the first Nurse Practitioner in Ford County.  Mary always wanted to be a Nurse Practitioner, but at the time, the program was not available in the area.  When the program became available on the Champaign campus, she applied and was accepted immediately.  Also, as a Nurse Practitioner, she helped with the education of those in the nursing profession.  She was the Preceptor for over 50 students from the University of Illinois and Illinois State University.  In 2014, she was awarded the Preceptor of the Year from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing.  Mary retired in 2021.  That year Gibson City Hospital awarded her The Sunderland Society Award in recognition of meritorious service.  Prior to this, this award had only been awarded to Physicians.  She first worked at Gibson City hospital at age 16 as a nurse's aide and was associated with the hospital for 50 years.  She worked at the Gibson Clinic with Dr. David Hagan for the final 27 years of her career.

She was a member of the Paxton United Methodist Church and the Gibson Hospital Auxiliary.

She enjoyed reading, being outside with her flowers, and traveling to different places. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Illini Basketball fan.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2026, also at Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton with Rev. Pat Allin officiating.

A scholarship has been established in Mary's honor for those pursuing a nursing career. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https://app.giveffect.com/campaigns/45746-mary-ellen-allen-scholarship.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.