Jesse Dean Allen, age 87, resident of Erie Street, Venango, PA, for the past 16 years, died Friday, September 18, 2009 at Crawford County Care Center in Saegertown. Born on December 8, 1921, he was a son of the late Jesse Allen, Sr. and Mary Spoon Allen. His wife, the former Velma Robbins whom he married September 20, 1952, survives. He was formerly married to Elsie Aikens.
Jesse attended Union City Schools and graduated from Union City High School in 1940. He then worked for a short time at General Electric in Erie before serving in the US Navy. He was discharged in 1946 with an honorable discharge. Following his military service he worked for several years for McCrillis Farm Supply in Lincolnville. In 1953, the year after he married Velma Robbins Covey, he, his wife, and his daughter, Sharon moved to Pasadena, TX where his sister and two brothers lived. There he worked for Armco Steel for 15 years. In 1968 he and his family returned to live in Cambridge Springs. At that time he began employment with Avtex Fibers in Meadville, retiring in 1987.
Jesse always enjoyed reading, traveling, camping, and just being with family and friends.
Preceding Jesse in death were his parents; a daughter – Dale Adams; four brothers – Max Allen, Merlin Allen, Neal Allen, and Karl Allen; three sisters – Alma Allen, Mildred Combs Gray, and Frances McCrillis Morvay. Also his first wife – Elsie Aikens Allen previously died.
Family members surviving include his wife – Velma, of 56 years; three daughters – Delores Cannon of Austin, TX; Sharon Beck and her husband, Robert of Venango; Beverly Harchick and her husband, Theodore of Pittsburgh, PA; one son – Joseph Allen and his wife, Janice of Oklahoma City, OK; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a son-in-law – Clifford Adams of Charlotte, NC.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services there on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Christine Rogan, pastor of Venango United Methodist Church will officiate. Cremation will follow.
I give my deepest sympathy to the family. He was my uncle and I believe the last of my father’s family. He will be greatly missed by all. God bless the family at this time.