Donald Allen

ANNA, Ill. -- Donald C. Allen, 88, of Anna, formerly of Tamms, Ill., died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at his home.

He was born Nov. 27, 1920, in Ullin, Ill., to William and Ida Jane Coleman Allen. He married Ruth Brown Feb. 7, 1941. She preceded him in death Feb. 3, 2006.

Allen was a charter member of Tamms Methodist Church. In his early years he worked as a prison guard at Menard until he left to join his brothers in Allen Poultry Farm.

For more than 30 years he operated a heavy equipment service, D.C. Allen Trucking. Through it all he farmed all his life, and as recent as 2008 planted his own soybean crop. He was known for his turnip greens and his ability to make people smile, and if you ever drank coffee in Southern Illinois you have probably met D.C. Allen.

He is survived by a daughter, Marjorie Faye (Larry) Brymer of Anna; three grandchildren, Angie (Brent) Gordon, Steve Hornbeak and Mike (Teresa) Hornbeak; four great-grandchildren, Olivia and Graham Gordon, and Skyler and Jaclyn Hornbeak.

Also two stepgrandchildren, Lara (Sean) Eberly and Daphne (Tony) Morris; six great-stepgrandchildren, Jacob, Allen, Miles, Paige, Aubrey and Charlie; a sister, Fay (Fred) Etheridge; friend and companion, Dorothy Hileman; honorary son, Bobby Walker; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and coffee buddies at the Ullin exit.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Donna Kay Hornbeak, Feb. 11, 1986.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brent Gordon officiating. Interment will be in Ullin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Ullin Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.