Robert Ora Allen age 92, formerly of Greenville Michigan, died Monday April 14th 2014, at the Lake View Heights community of North Central Health Care, Wausau, Wisconsin. Prior to moving to Lake View Heights in October 2013 Bob and wife Alice (she survives) lived three plus years in an assisted living complex in Wausau.
Bob was born May 2, 1921 in Bay Township Michigan. After graduating from Boyne City High School he moved to Greenville Michigan where he remained until 2010. During his years in Wausau his heart and mind always remained in Greenville.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the 70th tank battalion. While serving in this battalion Bob took part in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy (D-Day invasion on Utah beach), Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe. He was Honorably Discharged in February 1946 with a Good Conduct Medal; a Presidential Unit Citation; European, African, Middle Eastern Service Medals with six bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead.
On August 24th, 1946 Bob married Alice Mary Hansen in North Sidney Lutheran Church, Sidney MI. They enjoyed traveling, family get-togethers, playing cards with friends and neighbors and delivering Meals on Wheels.
Bob worked at the Greenville Post Office for nearly 30 years as letter carrier, window clerk, Assistant Postmaster and Postmaster, the position from which he retired in 1976.
Bob's passion was wood-working and carpentry. He spent considerable time helping neighbors, friends and family with house hold repairs and carpentry projects of various sizes. He was especially proud that he built his own home in Greenville in which he and Alice lived for nearly fifty years.
Bob spent a lot of time walking. He regularly walked to and from work and after retirement enjoyed walking downtown most every day to have coffee at a local bakery. He and Alice walked across the Mackinaw Bridge several times during the annual Labor Day bridge walk.
Bob was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville and remained an active member until that church closed and merged with St. Paul Lutheran Church where he remained a member until his death.
Survivors include wife Alice Mary (Hansen), son Dewey (Cheryl) Allen, Wausau WI; daughter Mary (Keith) Paine, Olathe, KS; two granddaughters, Alison (Ben) Blankenship, Little Elm TX and Monica (Paul Wagner) Allen, Eagan, MN, four great-grandchildren, Samuel Sam and Maggie Blankenship and Lily and Liam Wagner. Also surviving are one brother Leroy (Mary) Allen, Grand Rapids, MI; two sisters, Marjorie (Elmer) Minthorn, Fife Lake, MI and Ruth (Earl) Neinas, Sturgeon Bay, WI; one aunt, Esther Ballard, Petoskey MI, four sister-in-laws, Betty Allen, Boyne City, MI, Nate Lou(Lee) Hansen, Trufant, MI, Grace (Robert) Hemstreet, San Diego CA, and Laura Roberts, Raymore, MO, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Fay and Lillie Allen, brothers (and sister-in-laws), Carl (Donna) Allen, Harold (Wilma) Allen and James Allen as well as sister-in-laws Jane Allen and Marilyn (Max) Christensen.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday May 10th, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 9844 SW Greenville Rd, Greenville, MI 48838. Visitation at the church will start at 9:30 AM prior to the service. If anyone so desires, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bob's memory in lieu of flowers.
