Delbert "Deb" Lee Allen Obituary (1935

Delbert (Deb) Allen, 82, of Columbia, Missouri, died July 15th, 2017 at the Veterans Home in Mexico, Missouri after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsons. He was born March 9, 1935 to Johnetta Allen Wallace and was raised by his grandparents Bill and LaRue Allen. He married Sally Hancock on May 30, 1959 in the Eldon Methodist Church. Delbert joined the Air Force after graduation from Eldon High School in 1953 and served here and overseas in Germany until 1957. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service. After his military service, he worked for Hanson Construction and helped build the Eldon Bridge. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad for 22 years and then worked for the Ottumwa Regional Health Center for 22 years before retiring. His hobbies were NASCAR and stock car racing with his son Mark. Delbert was the pit crew, working on the #6A after each race. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling, working on cars and engines, and spending time with family. Delbert is survived by his loving wife, Sally; his daughters Susan McClure, Lea Anne (Russ) Hamilton; his son Mark (Leah) Allen; his brother Jim (Sandra) Newburry and his sister Myrtle (Floyd) Parker; grandchildren Amanda (Lance) Eakins Watson, Clint (Kayla) Eakins, Bryce McClure, McKenzie McClure, Cassandra (Eric) Hamilton Heitmeyer, Alexis (Socrates) Hamilton Frangis, Trillian Allen; and great-grandchildren Alyssa Heitmeyer, Natalie Heitmeyer, Brianna Watson, Brayden Watson, Luke Eakins; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Johnetta Allen Wallace; his daughter Lynn Eakins Young; his grandparents Bill and LaRue Allen; his brother Charles Newburry; and his uncles, whom he considered to be brothers, Velven (Avis), Don (Colleen), and Elmer (Verla) Allen. Graveside Military Service will be Monday, July 24 at 11 am at the Mount Moriah Cemetery north of Douds. Lunch afterward at 12:00 pm in the Eldon Methodist Church basement. Visitation will be Sunday, July 23rd from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Eldon. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer's Association East Central Iowa 317 Seventh Avenue, SE, Suite 402, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; Eldon Methodist Church 611 Elm St Eldon IA 52554; or Uptown-Downtown of Eldon PO Box 303, Eldon IA 52554. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.