Danielle Elizabeth Allen

Danielle Elizabeth Allen, 16, of Pleasant Plains, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014. Danielle was born in Springfield, Illinois, on September 14, 1998. She was the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Pankey of Pleasant Plains, and Robert and Gina Allen of Hillsboro.

Danielle was an active young lady at Pleasant Plains High School. She was a member of the school Color Guard, Band, Drama, Choir, and Art Club. She loved spending time with her friends and family, listening to music, taking selfies and going on vacations to the beach. As an avid coffee lover, she was very excited to start her first job as a barista at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Springfield.

Danielle had a beautiful spirit and an extremely generous heart. Her smile was intoxicating and would light up a room. There are not enough words to describe how loving and wonderful she was.

Surviving Danielle are her parents, Todd and Jennifer Pankey and Robert and Gina Allen, her siblings, Jarred and Ryan Allen and William and Catelyn Pankey, all of Pleasant Plains, and Luke Allen, of Hillsboro, her grandparents Cathey Witts of Springfield, Larry and Diane Pankey of Pleasant Plains, Charles and Sandra Moody of Hillsboro, Patsy Allen of Litchfield, and Ron and Theresa Hacker of Centralia, great grandparents, Stella Witts of Illiopolis, Mary Pankey of Elkhart, and Edith Phillips of Normal, her aunts and uncles, Jacob Witts (fiancée Lindy Lawrence) and their children, Shelby Witts and Cameron Southard, all of Williamsville, Brett and Vanessa Pankey and their children, Ali and AJ, all of Springfield, Jay and Kari Allen and their son Grady, of New Lenox, Illinois, and Elizabeth Allen of Dublin Ohio and her sons Trent, Trevor, and Troy Hervey, and Andrew and Matthew Magno. Countless friends and extended family also survive.

Danielle was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Danny Witts and Robert G. Allen, and great grandparents, William (Bill) H. Witts, Harold Pankey, William (Bill) Phillips and Mildred and Ernest (Bill) Galloway, James and Ruby Allen, and Alfred and Dorothy Firnhaber. We are comforted knowing Danielle is surrounded by so many wonderful and loving angels that care for her as she watches over us from Heaven.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, IL, 62711. The family will receive guests on Saturday, November 1 from 1-5pm at the funeral home. A funeral service officiated by Pastor Don Pritchard will be held on Sunday, November 2, at 1pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Peter Cartwright Cemetery in Pleasant Plains.

Memorials in Danielle’s name may be made to the Danielle Elizabeth Allen Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Illinois National Bank or West Central Bank, at any location.