December 22, 2004 The ADVOCATE’s Free Press & Community News Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 8, No. 100 (3) Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 8, Column 1: “Donald E. Allen 1919-2004 Funeral services for Donald E. Allen, 85, Colony, were Saturday, December 18, 2004, at 2:00 P.M. at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel in Colony with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Garnett Cemetery. Mr. Allen died Wednesday, December 15, at his home. Donald E. Allen was born in a two-story house in the Emerald area March 26, 1919, the son of Earl and Amanda (Drybread) Allen. He attended the first and second grades in the Rocky Run schoolhouse. Don’s family then moved to the Iantha neighborhood east of Harris on Pottawatomie Creek. Don was an only child, but was certainly never lonely. His mother’s side of the family was full of cousins. That meant baseball, corncob fights, and any other clean mischief they could think of. Don had a particular cousin, Wayne Rolston, who was six weeks younger than Don. What one didn’t think of, the other one did. One poor cousin was mysteriously thrown from the hay mow. While growing up, Don helped his father farm and did odd jobs. Sometimes, he drove a team of horses and hay rack, hauling hay for a neighbor for fifty cents a day. On December 8, 1937, Don married Marie Caldwell in Lexington, MO. Don and Marie returned to the Iantha neighborhood and farmed 672 acres with two old Farmall tractors and with his father’s help. For extra spending money, Don plowed for Walt Lankard. He would take five gallons of gasoline with him, starting at daybreak, quitting at dark, plowing eight acres that day, at seventy-five cents an acre. Don and Marie’s two oldest children, Joyce and Larry, were born and attended Iantha and Lingo country schools. The land Don farmed was to be sold. Don didn’t have enough money for that big of a farm, so he moved his family five miles north of Colony. It was here that Donna, Dennis, and David were born. Don continued to farm, but also worked off the farm; first, he drove a school bus for the Welda School District, and then fed cattle for Bob and John Fursman at their ranch. Don then took a job loading rock with a D-4 Cat Loader for the Anderson County Road Department until January 3, 1978. Then he became the Anderson County Noxious Weed Director, which he held until his retirement on August 1, 1984. His time was then filled by being a caregiver to Marie, who had cancer and required many hospital trips and treatments. Marie died September 25, 1986. On November 3, 1988, Don married Arlene Culler Roush of Colony. They took trips to Disney World, Cheyenne Rodeo, California, Branson, and Royals ballgames. They enjoyed each other’s company. Don was once again called upon to become a caregiver for his youngest son, David, when he became ill. David passed away November 26, 1994. Don’s oldest son, Larry, died from cancer on April 26, 1998. Don enjoyed public service. He was a 4-H leader for 27 years and was honored for his years of service and accomplishments. He served on the Welda School Board, Anderson County Fair Board, and Colony Lions Club. He was the chair of the Anderson County Council on Aging for 20 years, and served as vice-chair until his death. He was chair for the Mid-America Council on Aging Policy Board. He also served as Anderson County’s representative on District #9 Transportation Committee. Don served on the Colony City Council and became mayor. While mayor, Don completed an application for a grant and received $199,000 for black-topping city streets. Don and Arlene served as Grand Marshals in the 2004 Colony Day parade. When Don’s health began to fail and he could no longer drive a tractor or a grain truck to help on the farm, he enjoyed driving his scooter uptown every morning, drinking coffee and swapping stories with his buddies. But you could bet he was always ready to go to the Country Music Opry House at Burlington on Saturday nights. Don made the decision only days ago not to prolong his failing health and was at peace with his decision. For how can you top it? In Don’s words, “He had it all.” Don is survived by his wife, Arlene, of the home; his son, Dennis Allen and his wife, Cathy, of Colony; his stepson, Bob Roush and his wife, Pam, of Topeka; his daughters, Joyce Baker and her husband, Durward, of Topeka, and Donna Dennis and her husband, Frank, of Paola; his daughter-in-law, Sondra Allen Kelly of Wichita; his stepdaughters, Shirley Marsh and her husband, Everett, of Reading, Sandy Hines and her husband, Ray, of Emporia, and Mary Ann Cunningham and her husband, Ron, of Tulsa; 23 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Music was provided by Rosalyn Kellstadt, organist, and Bob Roush, soloist. Musical selections included “The Lord’s Prayer”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “If Heaven”. Casketbearers were Denny Allen, Scott Allen, Steve Allen, Darren Baker, Cole Dennis, and Clint Spencer. Honorary casketbearers were Bob Fursman, J.R. McDermitt, and the Colony Foods Coffee Bunch. The family suggests memorials to the Colony United Methodist Church or the Colony Lions Club. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon