Mary Ellen Hardin

Mary Ellen (Mullins) Hardin, born on January 31, 1953, in Ogle County, Illinois was the 4th child of Betty and Guy Mullins.

On October 1, 1982, she married Paul (aka “Porky”) Hardin.  Mary Ellen worked many jobs during her lifetime and worked side by side with Porky in their business, Hardin Welding, for many years.  Never complained.  Always there when needed.  She was full of energy and a hard worker.   She loved gardening, canning, cooking, and taking care of the property.  A small, tough, woman, she could easily throw a 40-pound bag of pellets over her shoulder.  She was a skilled marksman.   She always had a dog, and a huge heart for all things living.  She was a loving wife and mother.  She was shy and sensitive, feminine, and dainty in boots and blue jeans, not afraid of anything.  Porky and Mary Ellen kept to themselves and did everything together.  They left love notes for each other on little scraps of paper throughout their journey of life.

Sadly, Mary Ellen passed away on August 5, 2023.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Guy & Betty Mullins, her brothers Michael, Jerry, Danny and Randy Mullins, in-laws Robert and Georgia Hardin, Jack Berry, Clara Berry, Doyle Hardin, Tom Hardin, Moe Hardin, Jim Hardin, Gracie Hardin, and grandson Robert Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Paul, daughter Shannon Walker-Smith and sister Sherry Chisem of Arkansas, brother-in-law Tim Hardin, Tony (Evelyn) Hardin, sister-in-law Janet (Sam) Olund, sister-in-law Betty Hardin, sister-in-law Judy Hardin, good friend, and previous sister-in-law, Kaye Hershberger, “Arky” the dog, and several nieces and nephews.

No service is planned.   A celebration of Life is tentatively being planned for the last weekend of August.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to assist with payment of her final expense