Mandy Jo Palen, 32, of Forrest, IL, died at 3:42 pm Sunday, July 5, 2026 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Peru.

Mandy was born June 29, 1994 in Gibson City, IL, the daughter of Joseph Leo and M. Teresa Rathbun Palen.

Survivors include her mother, Teresa Palen, of Forrest, IL; father, Joseph (Cindy) Palen, of Forrest, IL; two sisters: Megan (Matt) Mathes, of Forrest, IL and Molly (Charlie Tjarks) Palen, of Chatsworth, IL; nephews: Dustin (Pam Leesman) Mathes and Gage (Stephanie Budd) Tjarks; great niece, Willow Mathes; paternal grandmother, Lorraine Palen; aunts and uncles: Ed and Cheryl Palen, Tim and Julie Rathbun, Marie and Bob King, Terry and Penny Rathbun, Betty Dray, Tom and Rita Rathbun, Leona and Mark Pacheco, Mark Rathbun, Jamie Rieger, and Judy Somers; and too many cousins and friends to list. She is also survived by her fur babies, including her four horses: Bill, Lily, Laredo, and Shiloh; her dog, Kevin Bacon; and her three cats: Cheeseburger, Snowy, and Lilith.

Mandy is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jim and Shirley Rathbun; maternal step grandmother, Mary Nimbler Rathbun; paternal grandfather, Leo Palen; paternal aunt, Tina Rieger; and paternal uncle, Tim Dray. Also, preceding her were many beloved fur babies: Sylvia, Missy, Cooler, Spot, Angel, Athena, Gus, kitty Gus, Luna, Clover, Harriet, Annie, Gizmo, Stormy, Galen, and Tank.

She graduated Prairie Central High School in 2012 and attended Joliet Junior College for business of agriculture. She was a property manager for Palen Real Estate and farmed with her dad. She also volunteered herself and her horses, giving free rides at many community events over the years.

Mandy was a friend to all. There was not anything that she would not do for anyone, you did not even need to ask. She was a devoted sister and aunt (fur and human), and a dedicated daughter. She was our rock and our glue. She worked hard, and only played a little harder. There are no words to describe what she meant to all of us. Affectionately known as Mandrew and Cheese, she will be forever remembered. And she will still never be on time.

A private family memorial service will be held at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury followed by a public Celebration of her Life at Emancipation Brewing Company, 13113 North 2500 East Road, Fairbury, IL 61739 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

We would like everyone to bring printed photographs (if possible, to be put on posterboards) to add to the Celebration. We all have a hole in our heart and would like to fill it with her memories. We want to remember all of her and share her stories. This goodbye is going to last a long time, just like hers always did.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Livingston County Humane Society, Community Connection of Chatsworth, or the Forrest Historical Society.