Ralph James Allen

CHAMPAIGN — Ralph James Allen, 83, of Champaign died Thursday (April 19, 2018) at Willowbrook Memory Care, Savoy.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana.

Mr. Allen was born Jan. 25, 1935, in Urbana, the son of Ralph B. and Nellie Townsend Allen. He married Joleen Duker Allen on July 12, 1958, in Quincy, and they enjoyed 57 years of marriage before she passed away on Nov. 24, 2015.

Surviving are his son, Gregory K. (Tami) Allen of Homer; daughter, Suzanne B. (Dwight) Sanders of Carbondale; five grandchildren, Spencer (Nicole) Allen, Colten Allen, Elsbeth Sanders, Gracyn Allen and Charles Sanders; great-grandchild, Adalyn Allen; and his older brother, Harry T. Allen.

Mr. Allen graduated from Alton Military Academy and the University of Illinois. He served his country as a captain in the Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1968.

He was owner/operator of Allerton Supply Company for more than 40 years, as well as owner/ operator of Prairie States Warehouse, where he worked for more than 30 years. He stayed active in both businesses well after he retired. Ralph was bank director and chairman of the board for the State Bank of Allerton until 2004, bank director and chairman of the board for Philo Exchange Bank’s holding company, Yankee Ridge Inc., from 2000-2015, bank director and chairman of the board for Philo Exchange Bank from 2001-2015 and Philo Exchange bank director emeritus from 2015-2018.

Mr. Allen was a longtime member of United Methodist Church in Allerton, a town in which he lived for more than 50 years. He was very active in several local clubs, and even after he moved to Champaign, he continued to travel to Allerton to work, volunteer, eat lunch and to visit friends. Ralph and Joleen joined First Presbyterian Church, Champaign, in the mid-1990s.

The family would like to thank Autumn Fields, Willowbrook and Harbour Light Hospice for their care and comfort in Ralph’s final days.

Memorial contributions may be made to Allerton United Methodist Church or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be offered online at rennerwikoffchapel. com.

Champaign News-Gazette 4/25/2018