Eugene "Gene" Allen

Eugene (Gene) Allen, 100, of Clarion passed away at the Meadows Assisted Living in Clarion on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Funeral services for Eugene Allen will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, June 1, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with Pastor Don Morrison officiating.  Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street in Clarion with a 4:00 p.m. Masonic service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Eugene (Gene) Allen, 100, of Clarion passed away at the Meadows Assisted Living in Clarion on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Gene was born on April 12, 1909 to Edgar and Mary (Lewis) Allen in the family farmhouse outside Eagle Grove, which is now a Century Farm and has been owned by the family since 1888. He attended Clarion schools, Eagle Grove Junior College and the University of Iowa.

In 1931 he started his printing business with Harold Allen. Their first publication was a newspaper shopper that would become the Clarion Reminder. He played an active role at Allen Printing Company until the end of his life.

Gene and Wilma (Wakefield) were married in 1937 and raised their three children in Clarion. He volunteered for service in the United States Navy during World War II, helped organize the first Clarion Chamber of Commerce, served many years on the Clarion City Council and was a charter member of the Clarion Lions Club.  He was also a 50 year member of the Masons (Cyrene Lodge), a member of the American Legion for more than 60 years and a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church.

Gene enjoyed playing golf and cards with friends and spending time with his family on annual trips to Lake Okoboji and on many other vacations.

He is survived by his children, Thomas (Joann) Allen of Chesterfield, MO; Michael (Mary Ann) Allen of Bloomington, MN; and Martha (Scott) Elston of Ames; his grandchildren, Kelly (John Rezentes) Allen, Adam (Heather) Allen, Christopher (Emily C.) Allen, Emily E. Allen, Ashley Elston, and Thomas Elston.  He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Clare and David Rezentes, Chase and Blake Allen as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, and his sisters, Elva Badley and Vernice Mechem.