Allen Mechem, 94, long time Clarion resident, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021,
at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona.
Following a private graveside service, please join the family as we honor and
celebrate Allen's life on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Red
Shed Event Center in Clarion.
Allen Lewis Mechem was born in Clarion on December 16, 1926, to Lewis and
Vernice (Allen) Mechem. He was the oldest of eight children.
He attended country school until the sixth grade, when his family moved to town.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 during his senior year of high school, at the
age of 17. He was discharged in 1946, at the age of 19, returned home and
finished high school with the class of 1947. After signing up for the reserves,
he was called back in the Korean War in 1949 and discharged in 1952.
He was united in marriage to Peggy Latch on June 26, 1947 at The Little Brown
Church in Nashua, IA. To this union two children were born; Robert "Bob" and
Diana. Al and Peg enjoyed over 50 years together, until her passing in 1998.
Allen worked as a parts man for the International dealership in Clarion before
starting in the insurance business. He loved his job and retired in 1993 after
36 years as a State Farm Insurance agent.
Golf was his favorite pastime, both at Clarmond Country Club and later on his
"home" course in Mesa, where in 2018 he won the club championship. He also
enjoyed playing cards, games, and dancing at the Legion. He spent 28 winters in
Arizona after retiring, and loved all of the activities and the friends he made
along the way.
He was a member of several organizations both in Clarion and Mesa, and was a
lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.
Allen is survived by his children, Bob (Marcia) Mechem of Ft. Myers, FL and
Diana (Todd) Christians of Kanawha, IA; four grandchildren, Brooke (Tim) Faber,
Jessie (Tyler) Rehwoldt, Taylor Christians, Joshua (Brookelyn) Christians; five
great-grandchildren, Braden, Logan, and Weston Faber, and Brianna and Noah
Rehwoldt; siblings John (Jan) Mechem, Meri Carlson, Marge (Bruce) Stofferan,
Paul Mechem, Ruth (Miles) Bair; sisters-in-law Marilyn Mechem, Delores Mechem,
and Barb Nail, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and special friend Esther
Kirchner and her family of River Falls, WI.
He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his parents, and brothers David and
George (Geody).