Allen

Gerald L. Allen, 88, of West Liberty, Slippery Rock, died at 6 a.m. Saturday at the Grove City Medical Center.

Born in Hallston, Brady Township, Dec. 4, 1921, he was the son of Lamont C. Allen and Agnes Thompson.

He married Verna Jean Mayer on June 19, 1946, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 11, 2003.

He graduated from Slippery Rock High School.

He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, having served during World War II. He was an aerial gunner on a B-26 with the 453rd Bomb Squadron, completing 65 missions over Europe. He was fond of saying, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

He was a carpenter and was a member of Carpenters' Local 922 for 58 years. He built his own house.

He was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church for 58 years. He was a member of the VFW and the Slippery Rock American Legion.

He enjoyed vacationing in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

When his grandchildren were younger, he enjoyed playing Santa each Christmas. He enjoyed playing golf, watching Steelers games, mowing the lawn and driving Fords. After his retirement, he enjoyed visiting with his mother-in-law, Grace Mayer, each morning. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, neighbor and friend.

He was very charitable, always willing to help and always found the good in people. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Surviving are two daughters, Karen S. (Dale) Wimer of Portersville and Linda D. (Thomas) Butcherine of Hilliards; and a son, Gerald T. (Sharon) Allen of Prospect. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Tiffany (Chris) Pickering of Butler, Kris Allen of Little River, S.C., Tracy (Chris) Lachendro of Butler, Danielle Butcherine of Hilliards, and Seth and Travis Wimer of Portersville; two great-grandchildren, Siouxsie and Dyllon Pendrak of Georgia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; a grandson, Michael Ryan Butcherine; two sisters, Virginia Mershimer and Edna Turner; and five brothers, David William, James A., John E., Richard C. and Charles R. He was the last surviving sibling of his generation of the Lamont Allen family.

<B>ALLEN</B> — Friends of Gerald L. Allen, who died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. James Lewis, pastor of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be at the West Liberty Cemetery, where the Moniteau Ceremonial Squad will perform military honors.