Darlene Mae Mulch, 96, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at GreenTree Memory Care in Mt. Vernon.
She was born May 29, 1930, in Sims, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Nellie (Matthews) Wilson. On July 4, 1950, in Mt. Vernon, she married Daniel Dale Mulch, and she was a wonderful wife to him for 73 years, until his journey to heaven, on July 30, 2023.
Darlene’s family was her everything. She took care of her many brothers and sisters while growing up. Darlene had three children of her own, along with running a daycare for several years. She was employed by Mom’s Cafe during the time her husband Daniel was in the Army, and also worked for Florsheim Shoe Company during the 1970’s. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a member at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Attending church was a big part of her life.
She was a wonderful seamstress, and enjoyed reading, taking walks, being around family, sitting on her front porch, and she loved her coffee. She was a great cook and enjoyed preparing meals for family and friends throughout her life. She was a strong-willed woman, and stood by what she believed was right.
While living in Dementia Care, Darlene always wanted to “go home,” and was always asking about where her husband was. She is now home, and with him.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kathie Dodson and husband Larry of Kell, Illinois, and Donna Mellott and husband Billy of Woodlawn, Illinois; five grandchildren, Lorie Ullery and husband Josh of Mt. Vernon, Justin Mulch and wife Lynne of Mt. Vernon, Mark Dodson and wife Stephanie of Kell, Christopher Mellott of Damiansville, and Blake Mellott of Woodlawn; ten great-grandchildren, Joel Mellott, Raeghyn Dodson, Trygg Aaron, Annaleigh Dodson, Adrieanna Dodson, Lainey Mulch, Jentry Mulch, Alexandria Dodson, Hailee Ullery, and Brayden Aaron; one great-great-grandchild, Reeves Aaron; sisters, Vada Tate of Florida, Jolene Wells of Mt. Vernon, and Sarah Lou Bicknell of Mt. Vernon; brothers, Max Wilson and wife Shirley of Dix, Carroll (Bud) Wilson and wife Mary Leslie of Georgia, and Charles E. (Butch) Wilson and wife Angie of Dix; sisters-in-law, Sarah Prather of Benton, and Dixie Stonecipher of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Daniel Mulch; she was preceded in death by her son, Roger Dale Mulch; parents; and siblings, Leon Wilson, Vera Reece, Gene Wilson, Doris Halfacre, Rheta (Rita) Harlow, Dorothy Bridgeman, Shirley Capps, and Beverly Byars.
Darlene’s family would like to take this opportunity to give an extra special, loving, “Thank you,” to all the girls on staff at GreenTree Memory Care. They loved her, encouraged her, and supported her beyond belief. Thank you for taking care of her and having so much patience. You were all a gift to our family. She loved you all, and so do we. Also, a very special thank you to Tracy, and the hospice staff who cared for her, gave her grace, and helped her keep her dignity. Thank you from the bottom of our heart.
In accordance with Darlene’s wishes, an anatomical donation was made to support medical education and research, and a celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
