Dean E. Mulligan, 82, of Tuscola, IL passed away at 3:52 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2011 at his residence surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 600 East Northline Road, Tuscola, IL, with Rev. Jason Braaten officiating. Vistation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL. Graveside services with military rites accorded will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, IL.

Mr. Mulligan was born on January 26, 1929 in Gridley, IL, the son of Edward and Mary Kent Mulligan. He married Joan Wright on June 5, 1955 in Chenoa, IL. She survives.

Other survivors include his children: Cheryl (Dave) Bozarth of Tuscola, IL; Jody (Mark) Furlong of Milwaukee, WI; Terry Mulligan of Kelso, WA and Mindy Mulligan of Portland, OR; 5 Grandchildren: Jordan Bozarth, Justin (Aja) Bozarth, Ryan Furlong, Lauren Furlong, and Caitlin Furlong; 1 Great-Granddaughter: Isabel Bozarth; Brother: Ronald Mulligan of Marysville, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law: Eileen and Lyle Todd.

Dean was the manager of Tuscola Cooperative Grain Company for 8 years before starting with Principal Life Insurance Company. He was with the agency for 40 plus years, retiring in 2003. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Tuscola, where he served as an Elder and on various boards and committees. He was a member of both the Tuscola Rotary Club and Gridley VFW. He was also a past Tuscola city council member. He was a longtime supporter of his children and grandchildren's high school and college activities and events.

Dean served his country as a member of the US Army during the Korean War. Dean went to Korea as a buck private and through battlefield promotions was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class. He received numerous commendations and medals. He was a survivor of Outpost Harry, which was a nine day battle in which the defenders of Outpost Harry were outnumbered by the Chinese 30 to 1. Throughout the bitter battle, hand to hand fighting ensued in the trenches surrounding the Outpost. For the first time in the annals of US military history, five rifle companies received the prestigious Distinguished Unit Citation for the outstanding performance of their shared mission.

Memorial donations are suggested to Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza III, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Tuscola, 600 East Northline Road., Tuscola, IL 61953 or Provena Hospice Group, 1499 West Park Urbana, IL 61801.

Online condolences to the family may be sent via hilligossshraderfh.com