Emmel Eugene Allen

Emmel Eugene Allen MARION-Emmel Eugene Allen, 84, of Marion passed away at 7:26 PM, Friday, April 17, 2009 at the V.A. Medical Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Sunday, April 19, 2009 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Bruce Fox and Pastor Frankie Starrick officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Military services will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard. Memorials may be made to Disable American Veterans; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Allen was born on April 17, 1925 in Crab Orchard, Illinois to Lawton M. and Viola (Tanner) Allen. He married Myra Rose Christ on March 18, 1942; she preceded him in death on June 14, 2007. Survivors include daughter, Nelda Ridlen of Marion; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Lee and Eva Jean Allen of Newburgh, Indiana and Scott and Lori Allen of St. Charles, Missouri; grandchildren, Chris and Kim Groves, Roxie and Bruce Radcliffe, Christopher Paul Allen, Nicholas Gene Allen, Tara Leigh Allen, Jeremy and Megan Allen and Emily Allen; and great grandchildren, Hannah Loyd, Jessica Trexler Groves, Brittany Trexler Groves, Ariana Groves and Brittany Loyd. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, Terry Allen; son-in-law, Leston Ridlen; and sisters, Doris Kobler and Imogene Nobles. Mr. Allen worked as a coal miner having worked at several mines including Freeman # 4. He served his country with the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW Post 1301. He was an avid fisherman with numerous “Crappie” Tournament Wins, and enjoyed woodworking and camping. He loved his children and grandchildren and had spent yesterday with them all together celebrating his birthday.