Born October 12, 1947 in Peoria to Alexander Joseph and Lois Pauline (Schwartz) Draper, he married Jeri Lynn Junker on February 8, 1969 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are three children, Jessica Sue (David) Meeks of Peoria, Allen Joseph "A.J." Draper of Portland, Oregon and Jeremie Linn (Andrew Sledd) Draper of Metamora; two grandchildren, Austin Sherman and Mazzy Sherman; one great-granddaughter, Madilyn; one sister, Betty (Jim) Bullard of Pekin; his sister-in-law, Julie McElwee of Venice, Florida and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nancy Gaither and Valerie Delicaith.
Allen was a United States Marine Corps veteran serving as a scout sniper in Vietnam and attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of the Tobin-Nanninga Marine Corps League Detachment 85 in Pekin. He also was a member Limestone American Legion Post 979 in Bartonville and a former member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin.
He was a graduate of the apprentice program at Caterpillar, Inc. and worked in their foundry for 31 years, retiring in 1998.
Allen was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved doing anything outdoors. He was a member of Duck's Unlimited, N.R.A., and Pekin Archery Club. He was proud to have won a senior division archery competition in recent years held in Springfield. Allen was passionate about serving as a hunting guide, training dogs and volunteering with Hooked on Fishing. He was a faithful volunteer for the annual Illinois Department of Conservation Youth Goose Hunt. Most of all, Allen just loved doing anything outdoors and often used the saying, "If it flys, it dies."
An outdoor memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where the family will greet friends immediately following the service. Doug Anderson and Col. Susan Junker (ret.) will officiate and military rites will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Camouflage attire is welcome. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pekin Celestial Chapter of A.A, 1208 Maple Street, Pekin, IL 61554; Hooked on Fishing Park, 1807 North Main Street, East Peoria, IL 61611; or to Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601.
The family wants to offer a special thanks to the nursing staff at UnityPoint Health and Dr. Angela McElwee, his physician, niece, and "Angel."
Also surviving are three children, Jessica Sue (David) Meeks of Peoria, Allen Joseph "A.J." Draper of Portland, Oregon and Jeremie Linn (Andrew Sledd) Draper of Metamora; two grandchildren, Austin Sherman and Mazzy Sherman; one great-granddaughter, Madilyn; one sister, Betty (Jim) Bullard of Pekin; his sister-in-law, Julie McElwee of Venice, Florida and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nancy Gaither and Valerie Delicaith.
Allen was a United States Marine Corps veteran serving as a scout sniper in Vietnam and attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of the Tobin-Nanninga Marine Corps League Detachment 85 in Pekin. He also was a member Limestone American Legion Post 979 in Bartonville and a former member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin.
He was a graduate of the apprentice program at Caterpillar, Inc. and worked in their foundry for 31 years, retiring in 1998.
Allen was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved doing anything outdoors. He was a member of Duck's Unlimited, N.R.A., and Pekin Archery Club. He was proud to have won a senior division archery competition in recent years held in Springfield. Allen was passionate about serving as a hunting guide, training dogs and volunteering with Hooked on Fishing. He was a faithful volunteer for the annual Illinois Department of Conservation Youth Goose Hunt. Most of all, Allen just loved doing anything outdoors and often used the saying, "If it flys, it dies."
An outdoor memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where the family will greet friends immediately following the service. Doug Anderson and Col. Susan Junker (ret.) will officiate and military rites will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Camouflage attire is welcome. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pekin Celestial Chapter of A.A, 1208 Maple Street, Pekin, IL 61554; Hooked on Fishing Park, 1807 North Main Street, East Peoria, IL 61611; or to Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601.
The family wants to offer a special thanks to the nursing staff at UnityPoint Health and Dr. Angela McElwee, his physician, niece, and "Angel."
Born October 12, 1947 in Peoria to Alexander Joseph and Lois Pauline (Schwartz) Draper, he married Jeri Lynn Junker on February 8, 1969 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are three children, Jessica Sue (David) Meeks of Peoria, Allen Joseph "A.J." Draper of Portland, Oregon and Jeremie Linn (Andrew Sledd) Draper of Metamora; two grandchildren, Austin Sherman and Mazzy Sherman; one great-granddaughter, Madilyn; one sister, Betty (Jim) Bullard of Pekin; his sister-in-law, Julie McElwee of Venice, Florida and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nancy Gaither and Valerie Delicaith.
Allen was a United States Marine Corps veteran serving as a scout sniper in Vietnam and attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of the Tobin-Nanninga Marine Corps League Detachment 85 in Pekin. He also was a member Limestone American Legion Post 979 in Bartonville and a former member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin.
He was a graduate of the apprentice program at Caterpillar, Inc. and worked in their foundry for 31 years, retiring in 1998.
Allen was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved doing anything outdoors. He was a member of Duck's Unlimited, N.R.A., and Pekin Archery Club. He was proud to have won a senior division archery competition in recent years held in Springfield. Allen was passionate about serving as a hunting guide, training dogs and volunteering with Hooked on Fishing. He was a faithful volunteer for the annual Illinois Department of Conservation Youth Goose Hunt. Most of all, Allen just loved doing anything outdoors and often used the saying, "If it flys, it dies."
An outdoor memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where the family will greet friends immediately following the service. Doug Anderson and Col. Susan Junker (ret.) will officiate and military rites will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Camouflage attire is welcome. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pekin Celestial Chapter of A.A, 1208 Maple Street, Pekin, IL 61554; Hooked on Fishing Park, 1807 North Main Street, East Peoria, IL 61611; or to Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601.
The family wants to offer a special thanks to the nursing staff at UnityPoint Health and Dr. Angela McElwee, his physician, niece, and "Angel."
Also surviving are three children, Jessica Sue (David) Meeks of Peoria, Allen Joseph "A.J." Draper of Portland, Oregon and Jeremie Linn (Andrew Sledd) Draper of Metamora; two grandchildren, Austin Sherman and Mazzy Sherman; one great-granddaughter, Madilyn; one sister, Betty (Jim) Bullard of Pekin; his sister-in-law, Julie McElwee of Venice, Florida and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Nancy Gaither and Valerie Delicaith.
Allen was a United States Marine Corps veteran serving as a scout sniper in Vietnam and attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of the Tobin-Nanninga Marine Corps League Detachment 85 in Pekin. He also was a member Limestone American Legion Post 979 in Bartonville and a former member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin.
He was a graduate of the apprentice program at Caterpillar, Inc. and worked in their foundry for 31 years, retiring in 1998.
Allen was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved doing anything outdoors. He was a member of Duck's Unlimited, N.R.A., and Pekin Archery Club. He was proud to have won a senior division archery competition in recent years held in Springfield. Allen was passionate about serving as a hunting guide, training dogs and volunteering with Hooked on Fishing. He was a faithful volunteer for the annual Illinois Department of Conservation Youth Goose Hunt. Most of all, Allen just loved doing anything outdoors and often used the saying, "If it flys, it dies."
An outdoor memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where the family will greet friends immediately following the service. Doug Anderson and Col. Susan Junker (ret.) will officiate and military rites will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Camouflage attire is welcome. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pekin Celestial Chapter of A.A, 1208 Maple Street, Pekin, IL 61554; Hooked on Fishing Park, 1807 North Main Street, East Peoria, IL 61611; or to Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601.
The family wants to offer a special thanks to the nursing staff at UnityPoint Health and Dr. Angela McElwee, his physician, niece, and "Angel."
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