Ralph William Allen

Ralph William Allen, 91, of Delavan passed away November 10, 2025 in Lincoln, IL.

Ralph William Allen was born July 22, 1934, the son of Theodore Raymond and Lurena Perrine Allen. He has a sister Margaret Allen Wolf. He was preceded in death by his brother James Theodore, brother-in-law George Wolf, and granddaughter-in-law Margaret Rose Allen Jett.

Ralph was baptized in Delavan First Presbyterian Church and grew up north of Delavan on Toboggan Avenue. He attended Meixsell Grade School, Delavan Community High School, and University of Illinois.

He served in the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War and in the Marine Corps Reserve for 22 years, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a decorated Marine earning the Good Conduct Medal and graduated from U.S. Army ranger school.

On July 26, 1958, Ralph married Mary Blanche Short, daughter of Earl Nelson and Opha Catterlin Short at the Wapella Christian Church and she survives. Mary was raised on a farm between Wapella and Heyworth, along with a brother Herbert and a sister Helen. Mary received a teacher’s certificate at Illinois State Normal University and taught in the Delavan schools system for 4 years. In 1964 they built a house on Hackney Lane and have lived there since.

Ralph William and Mary Blanche were blessed with a large family including 5 sons, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Five Sons: Guy Henry (Jennifer-Jun He); Earl Raymond (Doris Ruppel); Fred William (Jeanine Godby); Ralph Gilbert (Lori Berry); and James Perrine (Natalie Clark).

Sixteen grandchildren: Zachary Craig (Ali Vannaken); Jacob Short (Lauren Esguerra); Jessie Marie (Mitch Zippay); Emily Belle; Theodore Charles (Margaret Jett, d.); Sabrina Renee (Caleb Rice); Raymond William (Alayna Schlafley), Hannah Grace (Bryce Leigh); Rachel Faith (Stephen Winchell); Elizabeth Mercy (John Beal); Ralph Walker (Annika Beachy); Haley Carolyn (Alex Poirier); Madelyn Glory; Lurena Beth; Mary Lurena; and William Henry He.

Thirteen great-grandchildren: Charlotte Marie Allen, Owen Edward Allen, Brantley Jacob Allen, Emerson Rhett Allen, Lilah Marie Zippay, Lucas Andrew Zippay, Ruby Ann Rice, Haven Louise Rice, Selah Renee Rice, Ezra William Allen, Josephine Rose Winchell, Evanora Jane Beal, and Josiah James Poirier.

Ralph farmed for over 45 years in Tazewell, Mason, Menard, and Logan Counties raising corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and beef cattle.  In the winter months of the 1970s he unloaded barges at Cargill – Cargo Carriers Inc. in Pekin, Illinois.  He would also cut and haul timber to sell to the mill.

Ralph held a private pilot’s license and owned a couple of small Cessna aircraft. He also enjoyed operating his LST (Landing Ship, Tank). At the age of 62, he served with the Peace Corps in Ecuador, South America.

He worked as a long-haul, flatbed trucker with his own semi for 10 years, traveling within all 48 continental states and maintaining his CDL until the age of 80.

Ralph was an active community member, serving on the First Presbyterian Church session, TALOMA Farmers Grain board, the American Legion Post 382, and he and Mary were awarded Honorary Chapter Farmer Degrees by the Delavan FFA in 1988.

His funeral will be at 10:00 am Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Delavan First Presbyterian Church.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Friday and from 9:00 to 9:45 am, both at the church.  Burial will be in Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan.

Memorials may be made to Delavan First Presbyterian Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.

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