Gerald James "Jerry" Allen, Jr., 75, of Charleston, Illinois, formerly of Paris, Illinois, passed away at 2:11 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, in the emergency room of Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon, Illinois. He was retired after a teaching career of over thirty-five years.
He was born June 18, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Gerald J. Allen, Sr., and the late Gloria June (Baldacci) Allen. He married Candice Kay Smith on August 19, 1973, in Decatur, Illinois, and she survives.
In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, he is survived by their three children, Cassie (Robbie) LaBaume of Kansas, Illinois, Jamie Allen (Mark Jones) of Paris, and Kurtis (Kelly) Allen of Tuscola, Illinois; a brother, Richard (Theresa) Allen of Mattoon; two sisters, Lori Allen of Charleston, and Susan Allen of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Brittany Spradling of Brocton, Illinois, Chelsea Allen-LaBaume of Charleston, Nathan, Mackenzie, and Matthew LaBaume all of Kansas, and Tyson and Emerson Allen of Tuscola; two great-grandchildren, Rayne Ingram and Stormi Spradling; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Anthony Spradling.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Allen was very proud to have served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Charleston High School where he excelled as a star running back under Coach Merv Baker. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and his Master's Degree in Physical Education Sports Administration, both from Eastern Illinois University.
Allen taught in school districts in Breese, Ohio, Hillsboro, Nokomis, and Pana, Illinois, prior to teaching at Mayo Middle School in Paris from 1984 until his retirement in 2008. In the classroom, Mr. Allen brought an interesting perspective, a "unique" sense of humor, and a genuine love for teaching. These qualities, combined with his ability to connect with students from all walks of life, made him a memorable and beloved educator. He also especially enjoyed school sports and coaching young people. Throughout his teaching career, Coach Allen enjoyed coaching football, softball, basketball, wrestling, and track in addition to being active in athletics in his community. He was honored to have served as the Offensive Line Coach for the Rose Hulman Fighting Engineers, as well.
Allen was an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601 where he had served in numerous capacities including chairman of the Scholarship Committee, a cause to which he was deeply committed. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211 and a former member of the Charleston Moose. In his spare time, Jerry was an avid fisherman who looked forward to the many fishing trips he took with his fishing partner, Jim Bellerud, through the years. He loved history, movies, and music, especially Motown, 50s and 60s Rock & Roll, and blues. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Fighting Illini fan. More than anything, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and rarely missed a sporting event or activity.
Interment with military honors will be private in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston at a later date.
He was born June 18, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Gerald J. Allen, Sr., and the late Gloria June (Baldacci) Allen. He married Candice Kay Smith on August 19, 1973, in Decatur, Illinois, and she survives.
In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, he is survived by their three children, Cassie (Robbie) LaBaume of Kansas, Illinois, Jamie Allen (Mark Jones) of Paris, and Kurtis (Kelly) Allen of Tuscola, Illinois; a brother, Richard (Theresa) Allen of Mattoon; two sisters, Lori Allen of Charleston, and Susan Allen of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Brittany Spradling of Brocton, Illinois, Chelsea Allen-LaBaume of Charleston, Nathan, Mackenzie, and Matthew LaBaume all of Kansas, and Tyson and Emerson Allen of Tuscola; two great-grandchildren, Rayne Ingram and Stormi Spradling; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Anthony Spradling.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Allen was very proud to have served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Charleston High School where he excelled as a star running back under Coach Merv Baker. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and his Master's Degree in Physical Education Sports Administration, both from Eastern Illinois University.
Allen taught in school districts in Breese, Ohio, Hillsboro, Nokomis, and Pana, Illinois, prior to teaching at Mayo Middle School in Paris from 1984 until his retirement in 2008. In the classroom, Mr. Allen brought an interesting perspective, a "unique" sense of humor, and a genuine love for teaching. These qualities, combined with his ability to connect with students from all walks of life, made him a memorable and beloved educator. He also especially enjoyed school sports and coaching young people. Throughout his teaching career, Coach Allen enjoyed coaching football, softball, basketball, wrestling, and track in addition to being active in athletics in his community. He was honored to have served as the Offensive Line Coach for the Rose Hulman Fighting Engineers, as well.
Allen was an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601 where he had served in numerous capacities including chairman of the Scholarship Committee, a cause to which he was deeply committed. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211 and a former member of the Charleston Moose. In his spare time, Jerry was an avid fisherman who looked forward to the many fishing trips he took with his fishing partner, Jim Bellerud, through the years. He loved history, movies, and music, especially Motown, 50s and 60s Rock & Roll, and blues. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Fighting Illini fan. More than anything, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and rarely missed a sporting event or activity.
Interment with military honors will be private in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston at a later date.
Gerald James "Jerry" Allen, Jr., 75, of Charleston, Illinois, formerly of Paris, Illinois, passed away at 2:11 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, in the emergency room of Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon, Illinois. He was retired after a teaching career of over thirty-five years.
He was born June 18, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Gerald J. Allen, Sr., and the late Gloria June (Baldacci) Allen. He married Candice Kay Smith on August 19, 1973, in Decatur, Illinois, and she survives.
In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, he is survived by their three children, Cassie (Robbie) LaBaume of Kansas, Illinois, Jamie Allen (Mark Jones) of Paris, and Kurtis (Kelly) Allen of Tuscola, Illinois; a brother, Richard (Theresa) Allen of Mattoon; two sisters, Lori Allen of Charleston, and Susan Allen of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Brittany Spradling of Brocton, Illinois, Chelsea Allen-LaBaume of Charleston, Nathan, Mackenzie, and Matthew LaBaume all of Kansas, and Tyson and Emerson Allen of Tuscola; two great-grandchildren, Rayne Ingram and Stormi Spradling; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Anthony Spradling.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Allen was very proud to have served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Charleston High School where he excelled as a star running back under Coach Merv Baker. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and his Master's Degree in Physical Education Sports Administration, both from Eastern Illinois University.
Allen taught in school districts in Breese, Ohio, Hillsboro, Nokomis, and Pana, Illinois, prior to teaching at Mayo Middle School in Paris from 1984 until his retirement in 2008. In the classroom, Mr. Allen brought an interesting perspective, a "unique" sense of humor, and a genuine love for teaching. These qualities, combined with his ability to connect with students from all walks of life, made him a memorable and beloved educator. He also especially enjoyed school sports and coaching young people. Throughout his teaching career, Coach Allen enjoyed coaching football, softball, basketball, wrestling, and track in addition to being active in athletics in his community. He was honored to have served as the Offensive Line Coach for the Rose Hulman Fighting Engineers, as well.
Allen was an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601 where he had served in numerous capacities including chairman of the Scholarship Committee, a cause to which he was deeply committed. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211 and a former member of the Charleston Moose. In his spare time, Jerry was an avid fisherman who looked forward to the many fishing trips he took with his fishing partner, Jim Bellerud, through the years. He loved history, movies, and music, especially Motown, 50s and 60s Rock & Roll, and blues. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Fighting Illini fan. More than anything, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and rarely missed a sporting event or activity.
Interment with military honors will be private in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston at a later date.
He was born June 18, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Gerald J. Allen, Sr., and the late Gloria June (Baldacci) Allen. He married Candice Kay Smith on August 19, 1973, in Decatur, Illinois, and she survives.
In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, he is survived by their three children, Cassie (Robbie) LaBaume of Kansas, Illinois, Jamie Allen (Mark Jones) of Paris, and Kurtis (Kelly) Allen of Tuscola, Illinois; a brother, Richard (Theresa) Allen of Mattoon; two sisters, Lori Allen of Charleston, and Susan Allen of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Brittany Spradling of Brocton, Illinois, Chelsea Allen-LaBaume of Charleston, Nathan, Mackenzie, and Matthew LaBaume all of Kansas, and Tyson and Emerson Allen of Tuscola; two great-grandchildren, Rayne Ingram and Stormi Spradling; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Anthony Spradling.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Allen was very proud to have served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Charleston High School where he excelled as a star running back under Coach Merv Baker. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and his Master's Degree in Physical Education Sports Administration, both from Eastern Illinois University.
Allen taught in school districts in Breese, Ohio, Hillsboro, Nokomis, and Pana, Illinois, prior to teaching at Mayo Middle School in Paris from 1984 until his retirement in 2008. In the classroom, Mr. Allen brought an interesting perspective, a "unique" sense of humor, and a genuine love for teaching. These qualities, combined with his ability to connect with students from all walks of life, made him a memorable and beloved educator. He also especially enjoyed school sports and coaching young people. Throughout his teaching career, Coach Allen enjoyed coaching football, softball, basketball, wrestling, and track in addition to being active in athletics in his community. He was honored to have served as the Offensive Line Coach for the Rose Hulman Fighting Engineers, as well.
Allen was an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3601 where he had served in numerous capacities including chairman of the Scholarship Committee, a cause to which he was deeply committed. He was also a member of American Legion Post #211 and a former member of the Charleston Moose. In his spare time, Jerry was an avid fisherman who looked forward to the many fishing trips he took with his fishing partner, Jim Bellerud, through the years. He loved history, movies, and music, especially Motown, 50s and 60s Rock & Roll, and blues. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Fighting Illini fan. More than anything, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and rarely missed a sporting event or activity.
Interment with military honors will be private in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston at a later date.
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