Bill Allen, 86

James William “Bill” Allen, age 86, of Mendon, died Friday July 20, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Herrin, IL on Jan. 29, 1926 the son of Lem and Lela (Frailey ) Allen, and attended schools there. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Bill was married to Lois Conrad on Dec. 11, 1948 in Angola, IN and they resided in Mendon since their marriage. Bill had worked for Fibre Converters in Three Rivers retiring as a supervisor after 38 years with the company. He engaged in general farming and enjoyed woodworking and hunting. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, Mendon sports booster, and enjoyed snowmobiling at his cabin near Irons, MI.

Bill is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Jeff ( Linda) Allen and Greg ( Cheryl) Allen both of Mendon; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Crissy (Gus) Alexander and their 2 children, Caden and Alexis; Trisha (A.J.) Tate and their 2 children Audra and Tressa; Trent (Lisa) Allen and their 2 daughters, Aaron and Hayle; Travis (Devan) Allen and their 4 children, Lincoln, Presley, Rowan, and Tucker; Shawn Allen; and Rayce Fuller; two sisters, Bea (Robert) Stanley of Augusta and Ruth Colvin of Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Verma Thomas; and his wife, Lois in 2011.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday July 25, 2012 at the funeral home with Nancy Boyd officiating. Military rites and burial will follow in Mendon Cemetery. It is suggested that memorials be directed to the Battle Creek V.A. Hospital. An online register is available at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com.