Mary Allen

Mary E. Allen

Mary Elizabeth Allen, 93, of Dallas City, IL passed away at 12:44 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2017 at the LaHarpe-Davier Health Care Center in LaHarpe.

Mary was born on May 17, 1923 in Roseville, IL the daughter of Ora D. and Alma Marie Jackson Manuel. On October 12, 1947 she married G. Philip Allen in Avon, IL. He preceded her in death on March 12, 2007.

Mary was a graduate of Avon High School and Western Illinois University in Macomb, where she was a member of the Green Door Drama Club and sang in Women’s Chorus. She was an elementary school teacher in Ferris, IL, Lomax, IL, and Dallas City. She retired in 1986 after 20 years as an educator.

Mary was active in community theater, performing with the Hancock County Theater, Hamilton, IL; Old Fort Players and Paddle Wheel Players, Fort Madison, IA; and Players Workshop, Burlington, IA.

She also loved to sing, performing as a soloist and in numerous ensembles and choruses. Mary was a member of her church choir and was director of the youth choir. She performed with Sarah Smith in gospel concerts and with an album, “Catch the Spirit.”
Mary was a member of the Dallas City United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Council and holding numerous other offices. She later became a member of the Colusa United Methodist Church.

She was a leader of Brownie and Girl Scout Troop and served as librarian of the former Dallas City Library. For a number of years she was a membership campaign worker for the Burlington Civic Music Association and the Fort Madison Community Concert Association.
Mary was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of women educators.

Mary provided valuable help at the Dallas City Enterprise, published by her husband Phil and his parents, George and Edith Allen.

Mary was an avid reader of mysteries, she corrected many errors in the books, thanks to her proof reading skills. Mary was proud of her Native American ancestry and contributed to several Native American schools.
Mary also volunteered as a teacher’s aide, working one-on-one with third grade reading. She was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the Hancock County Retired Teachers Association. Mary was happy to see the Cubs win the World Series in her lifetime. She and Phil were big fans.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia (Ben) Allen-Stewart of Galena, IL and Maria (Ken Kwilosz) Allen of Chicago, IL, two sons, Andrew (Felice Pomierski) Allen of Chicago, IL and Anthony (Jane) Allen of Lyons, WI, five grandchildren: Sean, Christopher, Nicholas, Alexander, and Felicia; one sister, Odette Bultemeier of Little Swan Lake, IL and several nieces and nephews.
She was proceded in death by her husband and one brother, James Manuel.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with David Poland officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Harris Cemetery near Dallas City. Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the Colusa United Methodist Church or Blessing Hospice. Send a condolence here.