John Warren Allen

ALLEN, John Warren
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Allen, John Warren, passed away at the age of 92, surrounded by family and friends on April 16, 2012. John was born in Ottumwa, IA April 7, 1920 to the late Warren K. and Erie Wilson Allen. A lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, John attended Parkwood Elementary, graduated Kalamazoo Central High School in l938. As a 1941 graduate of Purdue University, John joined the war effort as a project engineer for Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids, IA. There he met Wandalee Lee Lock and they married on June 17, 1945. In l953 John brought the family back to Michigan, and joined the Kalamazoo Stamping and Die Co., where he worked until he retired in 1990. Known affectionately as Big John, more for his demeanor than physical size, his interests were diverse: aviation, golf, scouting, and community life on Gull Lake Island and Parkview Hills, to name just a few. John logged over 6, 000 volunteer hours at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, including restoration of the vintage aircraft and co-piloting the Ford Tri-Motor. He also logged in eight yrs. as Boy Scoutmaster of Troup 5, at First Presbyterian Church and at least another 8 as a counselor for the Motor Boating Merit Badge. He and Lee interwove an active family life with their mutual love of golf, ballroom dancing and dear friendships. Surviving John are his children, David W. Rhonda Allen and Marjory A. Gary Dietz, both of Minneapolis, MN: grandson Tyler W. Allen of Columbus, OH, and several nieces and nephews. Also preceding John in death was his sister, Ruth Stanton. A memorial Service will take place May 24, 2012 at 11AM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, Oshtemo. A private interment will take place in the Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church Columbarium. Memorials in John's name may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI 49002.