Allen, William Gilbert "Bill" 1897 - 1958

ALLEN, TEMPLE, SMITH, GRANT, DE NEUI

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/2/2025 at 01:35:08

Clayton County Register, 18 Dec. 1958.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 13, 1958, for William G. Allen at 2 p.m. from the Peace United Church of Christ, Evangelical and Reformed, with the Rev. Paul Kitterer officiating.

Burial was at the East Side cemetery and pallbearers were Joel Clark, Fern Sharp, Roy Hyde, George Behn, Robert Bush, and Carl Roeder.

William Gilbert Allen, the son of Oley and Emma Allen, was born Feb. 17, 1897, at McGregor, Iowa, and died at a Prairie du Chien hospital Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 09, at the age of 61 years, 9 months and 23 days.

Mr. Allen came to Elkader in 1902 and has resided here ever since. He received his education in the Elkader school and attended the University of Iowa.

Mr. Allen was married on June 30, 1920, at Marquette, Iowa, to Mittie Temple.

His father, Oley, and his uncle, Albert, started the Allen Motor Co. in 1901. He became a partner of the company in 1920 and remained active in the firm until 1951.

While he and his wife were vacationing in Arizona in 1951, he suffered a stroke and since that time had been in failing health. In spite of his affliction he was determined to walk downtown whenever possible and did so until about a year ago. Since that time he was confined to his home.

Mr. Allen known as "Bill" to all his friends, was highly esteemed. He rendered service when called upon to his town, church and country.

"Bill" was an active member of Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church and inspired his family to offer their talents to the church. "Bill" loved singing and was a member of the church quartet which furnished music for a large number of memorial services.

He served his country overseas in World War I, was Commander of the American Legion in Elkader, a member of the Elkader Board of Education for many years, and was Past Master of the Elkader Masonic Lodge No. 72, also a member of the Clinton Consistory.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1947 and father in 1949. He is survived by his wife, three children, Robert, Elkader; Mrs. Glen (Jean) Smith, Mesa, Ariz., and Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Grant, Mesa, Ariz.; five grandchildren a sister, Mrs. John de Neui, Waverly, and a brother, Walter, Oelwein.

Among those attending the services from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. John de Neui, Mr. and Mrs. John de Neui Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Knott, Waverly; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Allen and Bert Benson, Oelwein; Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Grimes, West Union; Mrs. Anna Bruckner, Rockford, Ill.; Albert Halverson, Clayton; Mr. and Mrs. Archie Fritz, and Mrs. Tillie Walters, McGregor; Mrs. Katherine Tornes, Evanston, Ill.; Andrew Allen, Ray Allen, Al Allen and Mr. and Mrs. Max Richards, Cedar Rapids.