Joe Allen

Joe Lynn Allen, 78, of Festus, Mo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, March 4, 2006, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

He was born Feb. 21, 1928, in Jackson, son of William Lynn and Alta Idler Hall Allen. He and Shirley Jean Crites were married Jan. 24, 1953, in Piggott, Ark.

Allen was a mechanic and was previously employed at Montgomery Ward in Cape Girardeau and Kmart, retiring in 1977. He served in Japan with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Light House Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley J. Allen of Festus; two sons, Gene W. Allen of Hillsboro, Mo., and Oscar L. Allen of Festus; a daughter, Dianna L. Stockman of Desoto, Mo.; two sisters, Hattie Slinkard of Whitewater and Mary Niswonger of Jackson; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. until service time Tuesday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Pringle officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.