Shirley A. (Jennings) Allen, 85, of of Kalamzoo, MI, died peacefully on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services held. Tezak Funeral Home in Joliet assisted the family.
Mrs. Allen was born Jan. 2, 1936, in Palmyra, the eldest daughter of Floyd E. and Frances (Vance) Jennings. After her high school graduation in 1954, she married Richard M. “Rip” Allen, and he preceded her in death in 2012.
She attended grade school and intermediate school in Hettick and Greenfield. She graduated from Auburn High School with the class of 1953.
During her career, Mrs. Allen served as secretary for the Springfield Circuit Clerk’s Office and as a bookkeeper for First National Bank in Springfield.
Following her marriage, she and her husband moved to Joliet, where she worked for First National Bank, later known as First Midwest Bank, for 23 years. In 1987, they moved to Kalamazoo, MI, where she worked for Upjohn Co. for five years, retiring in 1993.
Mrs. Allen was an active member of Larkin Baptist Church in Joliet for 25 years and Berean Baptist Church in Portage, MI, for 23 years.
She is survived by her two daughters, Diane L. (Jerry) Helis of Elwood and Kimber Allen of Lovell, WY; brother, Warren (Barb) Jennings of Girard; two sisters, Janice Smith of Hillsboro and Sandra Dora of Crawford, MS; seven grandchildren, Shawn (Angie) Krupianik, Lori Ann (Bill) Rakowski, Ryan (Jenna) Krupianik, Katie Krupianik, Garrett (Jody) Cornatzer, Vianna Cornatzer Nelson and Bryce Cornatzer; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband of 58 years, Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Wanda and Marilyn; and brother, Harold.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.tezakfuneralhome.com.
