Richard "Gary" Allen

Richard "Gary" Allen

August 24, 1934 - July 6, 2020   

   Richard “Gary” Allen, 85 of Deshler, Ohio died peacefully July 6, 2020 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg.  He had been a resident at Vancrest of Holgate since April 2019.

   Gary was born August 24, 1934 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Richard B. Allen and Rosella M. (Buckenmeyer) Allen.  He married Jean Fortman of Glandorf at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on June 29, 1963.  They just celebrated 57 years of married life together.

   He attended school in Trilby, Ohio and was a 1952 graduate of Toledo Whitmer High School.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.  Gary worked at the family business, Allen’s Food Market on Alexis Road in Trilby, as a butcher. In 1956 he moved with his family to Deshler, where his parents purchased The Deshler Hardware Company.  He spent most of his time doing service calls and installing water heaters and appliances.  After his parent’s retirement, Gary and Jean purchased the hardware and worked side by side until their retirement in 2008.

   Gary was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Deshler, 52-year member of the Deshler Lions Club with 48 years of perfect attendance, charter member of the Bavarian Club, past member of Deshler Chamber of Commerce and served 29 years with the Deshler Fire Department.  

   He always looked forward to family gatherings and family vacations at the lake.  He especially enjoyed the three-month camping trip with Jean through the Western United States, Canada and Alaska.

   In his younger years, Gary was an adventurer.  He enjoyed, fishing and hunting trips, snowmobiling and backcountry solo canoe trips.  Flying his Piper Cub, he often took his dog Queenie and his family for rides and cross country trips.  He was instrumental in the opening of Deshler Airport while being a member with the Deshl-Air Flying Club.  Gary was also an avid photographer, documenting his and his family’s life story through photos, slides and movies.

   He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He is survived by his wife Jean, children and grandchildren; Karen (Jon) Schwiebert; Corbin, Carissa, Caylee; Kristine (Dean) Maas; Clay (Emily), Drew; Kathy (Jeff) Mangas; Benjamin, Jenna, Jessica; Brian (Liz) Allen; Addie, Thomas; brothers, Terry (Nancy) Allen and Neal (Darlene) Allen.

   He was also preceded in death by brother, Lt. Dale Allen.

   Gary’s family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Vancrest Health Care Center and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their care shown to him.

   Public visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Friday at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler.  Social distancing guidelines will be observed and you are asked to please wear a mask.  Services will be private for the family and Gary will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler.

   If unable to attend, please leave a message at www.feehanrodenbergefuneralhome.com or consider a memorial to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Deshler Fire Department, Henry County South Joint Ambulance District or donor’s choice.  Memorials may be sent to Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, PO BOX 196, Deshler, Ohio 43516.

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