Mary Ellen Gallaher, age 43 of Monticello, died at 9:05 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Carle Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2008 at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home with Rev. John Francis officiating.  Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Monticello Township Cemetery.

Mary was born May 27, 1964 in Monticello, the daughter of Russell and Betty (Auten) Karnes.  She married Michael Gallaher on September 6, 2003 in Monticello.  He survives.

Also surviving are her parents; Russell and Betty Karnes of Monticello, children; Justin Helm of Urbana, Laura Helm and Dylan Helm of Monticello, Amber Burse of KY, Angela Gallaher and Jill Nance both of Mahomet, and Stacy Gallaher of Mansfield, 7 grandchildren, brother; John Karnes of Monticello, sisters; Karen Tillman of Champaign, Barb Burke of Vienna, MO, and Becky Powell of Adrian, MO.

Mary was preceded in death by 1 son (Benjamin), paternal grandparents (J.R. and Ruth Karnes) and maternal grandparents (John and Pansy (Shook) Auten).

Mary was an inventory specialist at Horizon Hobby Distributors and worked at Dairy Queen in Monticello.  She was a member of the Monticello Church of the Nazarene and loved her life, family, and friends. 

Memorials may be made to the Mary E. Gallaher Memorial Fund c/o Busey Bank in Champaign.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.