Obituary: Allen

James Lyle “Jim Bob” Allen, 72 of Fairbury, died at 5:00pm, Friday, November 20, 2020 at Good Samaritan Home of Pontiac.

Cremation rites have been accorded with a private family inurnment to be held at Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Jim Bob was born on August 24, 1948, the son of Harold and Helen Leister Allen. His parents and one brother, John Allen, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his children, Amy (Brian) Strouss of Geneseo, IL and Chad (Martha Martinez) Allen of Fairbury; four grandchildren, Dustin (Kennedy) Allen, Sierra Allen, Nick Strouss and Danielle (Lucas) Knepp; six sisters, Judy (Vince Alfaro) Embry, Jean (Marshall) Fosdick, Jane (Gary) Tipton, JoAnn Allen and June Hughes all of Fairbury and Jeri (Doug) Steidinger of Forrest and many nieces and nephews.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-1970 stationed in Panama.

Jim Bob graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School and worked for Zimmerman Construction. He enjoyed solving his Sudoku puzzle books, playing a round of golf and spending time with his family and friends, always with a joke and a good laugh.