Earl Allen, Csm, Ret.

Earl R. Allen, CSM, Ret., 78, of Grain Valley, MO, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2004 at St. Joseph Health Center after a short illness of lung cancer. Services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at Oak Grove Restoration Branch, 1203 N. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Tuesday at Speaks Buckner Chapel. Burial in Buckner Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Conference of Restoration Elders for the Fellowship of Patriarchs, 500 N. Union St. Independence, MO 64050. Earl was born January 8, 1926 in Falls County, TX to Charles C. and Annie L. (Spicer) Allen. In his younger years he was employed with The Western Auto Store and Lone Star Gas Company in Marlin, TX. He enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in Marlin, TX on May 10, 1947 and served in various positions until he was transferred to the 111th Medical Company, 36th Infantry Division at Camp Mabry, Austin, TX. He served as a Medical Technician, 1st Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major during his service. Earl was awarded numerous awards while in his service of nearly 39 years in the military. After his retirement, he was employed by the State of Texas and worked as a supervisor of State Maintenance Employees at Camp Mabry. Mr. Allen was baptized at an early age in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and for the past 12 years has attended Israel�s Gathering Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. He served as pastor of the Marlin, TX branch for 10 years and the Austin branch for 10 years. Earl served his church as District President of 4 districts in TX. In the nearly 60 years of service he held various offices including Aaronic Priest, Elder, High Priest, and Patriarch/Evangelist. Mr. Allen did extensive missionary work throughout the U.S. and in Mexico. He was counseling and ministering even in his last hours to those who visited him in the hospital. His 1st love was always the Lord�s work but his family came second as the light of his life. He also enjoyed fishing and playing dominoes. Earl was a tender and loving companion, father, brother and servant of his Lord and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Mr. Allen is survived by his wife Carol (Moore) of the home; daughter Joan Vick and husband Alex of Buckner, MO, sons Jimmy Allen and wife Vickie of Laurens, NY, David Allen and wife Kelly of Buckner, MO, daughters Linda Chase of Independence, MO, and Carolyn Brown of Grain Valley, MO, son Jeff Langley and wife June of Blue Springs, MO. He is also survived by grandchildren Michael Schupp and wife Shawn, Marcus Bird and wife Sarah, Lexi and Ali Allen, Timothy Chase and wife Michele, Joshua Chase, Nick and Stephanie Morrissey, Heather and Mandy Vick, Robert Spicer; great-grandchildren Jared, Brandon, Miranda, Lauren, Hailey, Erick, Xavier, Makahnna and Storm; brother Arthur Allen and wife Billie of Marlin, TX, sister Maurine Drosche and husband husband Wayne of Independence, MO; brothers-in-law C.P. White and wife Mary of Natchitoches, LA, Richard Allen of Willis, TX; sisters-in-law Betty Johnson and husband Robert of Lamoni, IA, Mary Graybill and husband Dwight of Independence, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Christine Allen; his youngest son, Phillip Allen; 2 sisters Vida Boyd and Mildred Feldman; and his parents.