Allen

Richard L. "Dick" Allen Sr., 78, of Butler died Monday at his home.

Born in Butler, April 18, 1929, he was the son of Herbert R. Allen and Alma Marie Allen Stewart.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1946. He received numerous awards and was the youngest to achieve the rank of chief master sergeant. He retired from the Air Force in 1969 after 23 years.

Mr. Allen then worked in the maintenance department of the Butler School District for 20 years before retiring in 1994.

He enjoyed many hobbies, including painting, woodworking, metal detecting and leather crafts. He crafted many wood items for children that were donated to schools and churches.

He was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Center Township, where he served as an usher. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus and was a past faithful navigator. He also was also a member of the Keystone Squares.He is survived by his wife, Martha Ann Rivers Allen, whom he May 15, 1950; a son, Richard L. Allen Jr., and his wife, Kathy, of Butler; three daughters, Barbara Somers and her husband, John, of Hayes, Va., Debra Stewart and her husband, John, of Hatboro and Julie Cupps and her husband, Richard, of Butler; 11 grandchildren, Mrs. Ronald (Michele) Steighner of Butler, Lisa Strouse of Quakertown, Michael Allen of Allison Park, Ryan Somers of Hayes, Mrs. Andrew (Allison) Connors of Virginia and Megan Allen and Amanda, Melissa, Alexandra, Victoria and Devin Cupps, all of Butler; and four great-grandchildren, John Tomlin and Sara Schweiger, both of Butler, and Zachary Boyle and Anna Strouse, both of Quakertown.He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

<B>ALLEN</B> — Friends Richard L. "Dick" Allen Sr., who died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Martin Funeral Home</B>, 429 Center Ave. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, North Main Street Extension, with the Rev. James Salberg officiating. Burial will be at the St. John Cemetery, Coylesville.Members of the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.Information also is available at www.martinfh.net.