Mark Allen's Obituary
Mark Harry Allen age 83, of Des Moines, Iowa, and former resident of Moravia, Iowa and Centerville, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at University Park Nursing and Rehab after a bout with pneumonia. He was born the son of Richard and Alta (Woodcock) Allen on October 21, 1926 in Albia, Iowa. He graduated from Moravia High School in 1945.On January 11, 1950 he married the love of his life Barbara Joann Fenton in Centerville, Iowa. Mark served his country in the United States Army from 1955-1957. Mark and Barb farmed for many years around Moravia, Iowa. He also worked as a laborer with McGraw Edison in Centerville, Iowa, Belzer Ford Implement and Champberlains both in Albia, Iowa, and prior to retirement as a janitor for the Centerville Community School District at Garfield Elementary School. Over the last 20 years, Mark also was well known in the area for selling Watkins products. After retirement Mark moved to Des Moines in December 2005 to live with his son, David and his family while he attended Wesley Acres Adult Day Services part time. He later moved to University Park Nursing and Rehab as his Parkinson's progressed.Mark is preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Barbara Joann Allen on September 21, 2005; brother, Wayne Allen; sister, Geraldine Cloyd.He is survived by: sons, David and his wife, Jodi Allen of Des Moines, Iowa and Brian and his wife, Crystal Allen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Ben and Desiree Allen; brother, Richard and his wife, Alberta Allen of Williamson, Iowa, and many other loving relatives.Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Pastor Brian Hargrave officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2010 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa from 1:00 pm till 8:00 pm with the family present from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.Memorials can be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab or Wesley Life Day Services both of Des Moines, Iowa and can be mailed to or left at the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mark Allen please visit our Sympathy Store.
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