HOWARD ALLEN

Howard Allen, age 87, formerly of St. Charles, passed away quietly into Heaven, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

He was born in Almond, NY, on July 29, 1934, to proud parents, Abner and Helen Allen.

Howard’s family moved to St. Charles, IL when he was still small and attended local schools. At the age of 18, Howard was drafted into the United States Army. He honorably and faithfully served his country in Korea before returning to civilian life.

Helen Olsen, a mother of two and a widow, became a perfect match for Howard’s heart. Howard met Helen at DuKane and their paths crossed at a company function. Those two paths became one as they walked alongside each other for the rest of their days, sharing their life, laughter and love with family and friends alike.

Howard came back to DuKane Corporation in 1951 and dedicated over 45 years before his retirement in 1998.

Loved by his siblings, they gathered the hard earned $14 to buy Howard a guitar after he sent away for an instruction book by Hank Snow. Howard was a perfectionist in his music and repeated songs endlessly until they were perfect. If he ever made a mistake, he started over, much to the chagrin of his father. Regardless of Abner’s opinion of his musical talent, he passed on his love of motorcycles. Howard learned to love his father’s Indian, but when it came time to own his own, only a Harley-Davidson and later a Gold Wing, would do. He had a love for cats, but a special place in his heart for penguins, an ode to his handle on the CB.  Howard enjoyed camping with his brother, LaVern, in the Mississippi Palisades and up in Mackinac. Surrounded by his family was Howards favorite place to be. Although he loved them all with a willful intensity, that did not preclude him from being first in line for food, no matter the occasion. A “Mr. Fix-It”, his hands were often dirty from repairing everything from household equipment to the girls ten-speed bikes. When the girls were young, Sunday’s brought country drives, swims at a local beach, movies and epic trips to Santa’s Village and Riverview, where memories still contain the taste of cotton candy.  Family trips to Florida with Helen and her family, in a rental down by the beach made memories by the truck load.

He will be missed dearly by Helen Olsen; her two daughters: Linda (Kevin) Peterson and Barb (Nick) Moisa; Kelly (Jim) Wituk, Scott (Karen Leff) Peterson, Kate (Keith) Beebe, Tyler (Taylor) Moisa; eight great-grandchildren: Claire and Ruby Beebe; Luke, Jack and Ben Wituk, Abby Johnson, Charlotte and Oliver Rosene; one brother; LaVern (Nellie) Allen; his sister Virginia Phelps; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside of friends.

He now joins his parents and his brother’s: Leon “Deacon” Allen, Roger Allen and Ronald “Bill” Allen.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to an animal shelter close to your heart. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.