Obituary of Cleona Mae Allen

Coffeyville - Cleona Mae Allen, 80, of Independence passed away Friday, July 10, 2009, at her home. She was born May 12, 1929 on the Ganser Ranch south of Wood Lake, Nebraska, the daughter of Ralph Edwin and Nora Bell (Clark) Hill. When she was one year old the family moved to the Moon Lake Ranch. Her parents had sheep, cattle and milk cows. As a child Cleona's chores where to herd the sheep. A house was built over a tank where water flowed from the artesian wells, this served as the family refigerator. When she was 12 or 13 years old Cleona was baptized in Moon Lake, and accepted the Lord. On June 4, 1947, she married Elmer Wayne Allen at Ainsworth, Nebraska. Following their married they bought a farm and built a house north of Ainsworth, whre they lived until 1952 when they moved to rural Warrensburg, Missouri. They farmed in Warrensburg until May 1962 when they moved to a farm north and west of Yates Center, Kansas. While at Yates Center, Elmer farmed and had a custom hay bailing operation. They moved to Independence in 1976 where Elmer and Cleona established Allen's Shoe Repair Shop on South 10th Street, and Allen's Sandblasting and Painting. Elmer preceded her in death on January 17, 1982. Cleona was a member of the Community Christian Church in Independence. She enjoyed working in her garden, painting using oil and acrylic paints, and loved to bake and try new recipes. Survivors include three daughters, Judy Hall and husband Tom of Independence, Cathy Tucker and husband Johnny of Independence, and Marilyn Scott and husband Larry of Canton, KS; two sons, Lonny Allen and wife Diana of Independence, and Danny Allen and wife Brinda of Shamrock, Texas; one brother, Harold Edwin Hill of Moon Lake Ranch, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one grandson, Justin Wayne Allen, and one great-grandson, Adrien Allen-Asebedo, one brother, Charles Leslie Hill. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2009 in the Community Christian Church, 3001 South 10th St., Independence, KS, with Pastor Steve Butler officiating. Burial will follow in the Harrisonville Cemetery near Bolton, Kansas. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at the Community Christian Church in Independence; the family will receive friends during this time. The family suggests memorials to the Community Christian Church, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and the Cancer Center of Kansas in Independence; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements. To view the obituary online and leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com