Obituary of Marlin Allen

Marlin A. Allen, 80, of Cassopolis, passed away at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Marlin was a twin, born on July 27, 1939, in Hardy, Arkansas, to the late Henry and Ollie (Lawson) Allen.

He married the former Lou Ann Conrad at the Methodist Church in Dowagiac. They celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on September 12^th.

Marlin was a supervisor at Consolidated Die Cast in Dowagiac for thirty-five years. After retiring, he decided he wanted to haul grain for the local farmers. So he bought his own truck, and truly enjoyed his new hobby for a few years.

When he first moved to Michigan from Arkansas, he worked on the File and Stamp farms. He eventually purchased his own small farm, and in 1970, he built the family home, with help from his friends. At the age of seventy, he added on a sixteen by sixteen, all season’s room, where he enjoyed watching the wildlife and Fox News. Marlin loved his family and friends; he enjoyed checking the traps, or just spending time with them. His priority was to provide the best life for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three of his siblings, Thurman Allen, Thelma Montgomery, and Willie Allen.

Marlin is survived by his wife, Lou Ann Allen of Cassopolis; sons, Michael (Barb) Allen of Cassopolis; Dale (Marty) Allen of Saint Johns; and Jim (Julianne) Allen of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren, Byde Kephart, Betsy Kephart, Dayna Drake, Toni Allen, Billie Jent, Michael Dollens, Joshua Benja, and Taylor Ingier; five great-grandchildren, Anthony Benja, Everson Ingier, Jake Jent, Madelyn Wegner, and Makena Wegner; twin brother, Marvin H. (Charlene) Allen of Dowagiac; along with a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. A private family burial will be at Mission Hills Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to, The Bonine House, Underground Rail Road Society of Cass County, P.O. Box 124 Vandalia, Michigan or to the Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Rd. Cassopolis, Michigan 49031

The family would like to express our deepest thank you to the Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph for all of your care, kindness, and compassion.

A meal will be prepared at the Moose Lodge, 54867 M-51 North in Dowagiac, following the service.