M. Dean Allen

Born June 20, 1937 in Peoria to Gerald Lee and Amelia (Rockett) Allen, he married Betty Lou Schimmelpfennig on June 11, 1982 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Stacey Lynn Allen of Princeton, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Ian Allen, Steven Fredrickson, Elizabeth Fredrickson and Abagail Fredrickson and one great-grandson, Everett Dean Fredrickson. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Gaylynn Allen of Groveland; his brother-in-law, Robert “Buzz” (Dar) Schimmelpfennig of Morton and a sister-in-law, Connie Schimmelpfennig of Morton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Troy Allen; three brothers, Monroe Allen, Donald Allen and Jackie Lee Allen; two sisters, Janis Ward and Phyllis Morsch; one brother-in-law, Edward Schimmelpfennig and four sisters-in-law, Ann Richmond, Mabel Look, Jackie Buff and Mary Andrews.

A 1955 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Dean served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1958.

Dean was a retired member of Steamfitters Local 353 in Peoria, where he worked out of for 38 years.

He enjoyed travelling, golfing and card playing. He also enjoyed gardening and doing some handyman work. Dean loved time spent with family. He also loved talking to his friends, Ron, Bill and Pete and taking golf cart rides with Jack.

Dean was a member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois in Pekin and Pekin Moose Lodge 916. He was a former member of Timberlake Golf Club and Pekin Eagles Aerie 1869.

His memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Cindi Schimmelpfennig will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615 or to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 N. 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, where Dean was a member and served with Grace Café & Food Pantry.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Gomez, Heather and the staff at Illinois CancerCare for the excellent care offered to Dean.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com