Obituary of John Allen

B I O G R A P H Y ALLEN: John Leslie Albert “Jack” Allen passed away in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Center, Lloydminster, AB on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at the age of 75 years. Jack is survived by: his loving wife Elaine; four daughters: Betty Allen, Brenda and her husband Sheldon Servold, Shelly and her husband Rick Lyon, Barbara and her husband Harley Tatro; eight grandchildren: Rob Lyon, Kristina Lyon, Shawn Lyon, Shelena and her husband Jason Ask, Nicole Servold, Bonnie Servold, Torey Tatro and Daniel Tatro, one great grandson: Jacob Lyon; one sister, Lois Cooper of Edmonton; three sisters-in-law: May and her husband Bud Blatchford of Trail, BC; RoseMary and her husband Ed Lucas of Westlock, AB; Winnie and her husband Rod Frasier of Hardisty, AB; one brother-in-law, Joe Batty and his wife Pat of Edmonton as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Jack was predeceased by his father, Les, in February 1982 and his mother, Vida in 1984, and one brother-in-law, Bert Cooper in 2000. The funeral service for Jack was conducted from Southridge Community Church, Lloydminster, AB on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. Reverend Elwood McLean read scripture and shared some experiences. Honorary pallbearers were: Ted Steeg, Ray Nelson, Elwood McLean, Kathy Flaman, Joyce Fanthorpe, Margarite Vaasjo, Bob and Olive Myers. Active pallbearers were grandchildren: Rob Lyon, Kristina Lyon, Shawn Lyon, Shelena Ask, Nicole Servold, Bonnie Servold, Torey Tatro and Daniel Tatro. Interment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Jack Allen was born in Chaplin, SK on September 26, 1929, where he lived with his mother, father and his older sister Lois until he was 5. At this time the family moved to Fielding, SK, and lived there throughout his school years. Jack’s dad owned and operated a garage, which is where Jack learned skills in mechanics that helped him over the years. Jack graduated from school with Honors and then went to Teacher’s College in Saskatoon. At the age of 18 he started teaching in Dinsmore, SK and then took a position in Dewberry, AB. Here another teacher, Elaine Batty caught his eye. He wooed and married her within one year in 1952. Jack taught for five years and then he started to sell Life Insurance with Mutual Life of Canada first in Wainwright and then in Lloydminster, where he and Elaine decided to settle down. They had four daughters: Betty, Brenda, Shelly and Barbara. Jack sold Life Insurance for fifteen years. In 1967, Jack and Ilston Plant became partners and bought the then, Seller’s Dairy Freez Ltd. which began Jacks career as “The Chickenman.” Jack owned and operated the business with Ilston until, Ilston retired from KFC in 1972. At that time Jack and Elaine bought it and changed the name to Allen’s Dairy Freez Ltd. They operated it as a family business until they retired in 1996. Jack loved music, singing with family and choir, and playing his clarinet in the city band for years. He also enjoyed art and drew and doodled on and off over the years. Jack was well read and a good public speaker and had many interests. He was a passionate man who took his faith and politics seriously. By far, Jack’s greatest love was people, and he had many friends from every walk of life. He believed that every problem could be solved in a way that was positive and fair to everyone concerned. We think that it was because of the importance that people played in his life that he retained the ability to remember names and individuals even as he struggled with dementia. Jack remembered his family until he slipped in a come a few days before he passed away. Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and now great grandfather, a loyal friend, an employer, an entrepreneur, a committed community member, and a proud Canadian. We can learn much from the life that he led. Tributes were given by: Emil Lychak, Jo-Ann Herle, Ken Hastings, and Rob Lyon. A special tribute was written by Dr. Glenn Weir and presented by Richard Mark. Card of Thanks Sincere thank you to Dave McCaw and all the staff at McCaw Funeral Service. Special thanks to the Southridge Community Church family, especially those who served lunch and to Brad Berkan who prepared the music and the video tribute. Thanks and appreciation to Dr. Cavanagh and Dr. Du Plooy and the staff at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Center. Family also wants to thanks our wonderful community for the outpouring of love, support, phone calls, visits, flowers, donations, cards and food that were received in Jack’s memory. Donations may be made to the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre or to a charity of the donor's choice.