Obituary of Barbara Kay Allen

Barbara K. Allen, 81, of Dowagiac, formerly of Roseland, passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Lakeland Spectrum Hospital in Niles. She was born on December 26, 1939, in Mounds, Illinois to the late Rex and Freda (Mize) Wilburn. She grew up in Mounds until she moved to South Bend and soon after graduated from Washington-Clay High School. On June 28, 1958 she married Thomas R. Allen Sr. at Christ The King Church in South Bend. A wonderful homemaker for much of her life, Barbara also took pride in teaching with the Head Start Program for many years in South Bend and believed in the Montessori method of education. After retirement, Barbara worked at Photography by Joyce in Roseland and greatly enjoyed time with her customers. When time permitted she took every opportunity to treasure hunt whether antiquing, tag or estate sales. Barbara’s most prized possession was time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas R. Allen Sr.; a son, Thomas R. Allen, Jr.; her brothers, Kenneth Wilburn and Kevin Klasner; and her best friends Peggy Brown-Clark, Joyce Brown and Barbara Miltenberger. Barbara is survived by her children; Kimberley Brockleman of Dowagiac, Ronald Allen Sr. of Dowagiac and Peggy (Paul) Barber of Roseland; 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; Kaysee Anne Baker, Ronald Dale (Becky) Allen, Jr. and their daughter, Gracie Renee, Thomas Westley (Jessica) Brockleman, and their children, Ace Allen and Sage Renee, Daniel Russel (Keyra) Allen and his and their children, Mason Daniel and Morrison Daniel, Jesse Allen (Molly) Brockleman and their son, Cain James, Alexandra Ann Allen and Kimberley Elizabeth Barber. Barbara will also be missed by her cherished sister, Debra (Bill) Prowell of Marion, Illinois; special sister-in-law, Sandy Wilburn of Pulaski, Illinois; and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. A remembrance service will be held indoors on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles with a time to gather beginning at 12:00 p.m. Friends and family are asked to follow COVID19 protocols. Interment will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka, Indiana. In keeping with Barbara’s love of education, friends are asked to consider donating school supplies to a local Head Start Program or may be dropped off at Brown Funeral Home at 521 E. Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Memories of Barbara may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.