Stoddard Allen, Sr.

Jan 21, 2007

I’ve learned that Stoddard Allen, Sr., the father of my uncle, has passed away in Sycamore, Illinois. I worked with “Grandpa Allen” a couple of summers on the Rich Harvest Farms, and learned quite a lot about keeping tractors running smoothly from him.

My endearing memory will be when he looked at me one day and said, “That’s a mighty fine beard you’ve got growing there.” (This was my I’m-going-to-be-a-priest summer.)

Grandpa Allen will be dearly missed.

From the DeKalb Daily Chronicle:

Stoddard J. Allen Sr., 89, of Cortland, Ill., died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at Bethany Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in DeKalb.
Born Dec. 17, 1917, in DeKalb, he was the son of Bert and Ingri (Modeen) Allen. Stoddard married Charlotte Griswold on Jan. 2, 1940, in Clinton, Iowa. He graduated from DeKalb Township High School on June 10, 1937, and worked for Wurlitzer Piano Factory in DeKalb and then for Anaconda Wire and Cable Co. in Sycamore. He was a former member of the Eagles lodge in DeKalb and a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, of Cortland; a son, Stoddard J. (Virginia) Allen Jr. of DeKalb; three daughters, Linda (Robert) Campbell of Davis Junction, Carolyn (Meia Uili) Montavon of Malta and Kathleen Foster of Sycamore; 12 grandchildren, Jacqueline (Mike) Celestino, Judith Latimer, Todd (Laurie) Allen, Thomas Allen, Tyler Allen (special friend, Courtney Hatch), Kristine (William) Grzywa, Scott (Sandy) Campbell, Angela (Jason) Siebens, Douglas (Hope) Montavon, Matthew (Jamie) Foster, Jason Foster and Michael Foster; 13 great-grandchildren, Morgan, Hannah and Riley Latimer, Lilliahna Allen, Cody and Josie Grzywa, Tyler and Olivia Campbell, Ethan and Alex Siebens, Clare Montavon, and Evan and Kylee Foster; a sister, Jessie Carr of Wheaton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Althea Davison, Etta Wiltse and Eloise Schuh; and an infant brother, Berton Allen. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb, with Pastor Bill Badal officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Creston. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family in care of the funeral home. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL 60115. To send online condolences, visit ronanmoorefinch.com. For information, call (815) 758-3841. (Published in the Daily Chronicle on 1/23/2007.)

Anton Zuiker ☄