Bernard Allen Lenox

Bernard Allen, 94, of Lenox died March 25, 2013, at Lenox Care Center.

Celebration of life services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola at 2 p.m. with military rites. Ritchie Funeral Home,124 S. Main St., Lenox, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Lenox Sports Complex. Online condolences may be left at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com.

Bernard Delno Allen, son of Nettie Victoria (Hiatt) and Jobe Harmon Allen, was born Oct. 1, 1918, in Ackworth.

He attended grade school in Ackworth and graduated from Indianola High School in 1935.

Bernard was a member of Ackworth Friends Church, where he married Ruth Norris on June 18, 1940.

Bernard worked for Hartzler Electric and Peck Electric Shop in Indianola before
moving to Omaha, Neb., in 1943. There he was employed in the ground
test department of Glenn L. Martin Nebraska Company, which manufactured
the B-26 Bomber.

In 1944, Bernard enlisted in the U.S. Navy being discharged as an AETM 2C petty officer.

He then moved to Osceola, where he and his brother Eldon started Allen
Radio and Electric Shop.

In 1960, Bernard started substituting for a rural carrier with the Osceola Post Office,
and in 1967 was appointed as a city carrier. In 1977, he was appointed
postmaster in Prescott. He retired in October 1992.

While living in Osceola, Bernard joined the Methodist Church, served on the
city council, fire department, chamber of commerce and country club
board.

On Nov. 28, 1976, Bernard married Jean Frances (Slocum) Gordon.

Bernard was a past master of Osceola Masonic Lodge and past patron of Ophir
Chapter OES. He served the Grand Lodge of Iowa as junior grand deacon
in 1971, junior grand warden in 1978 and deputy grand master in 1990.

Bernard is survived by his sons, Bernard D. Allen Jr. (Liz) of Excelsior
Springs, Mo., and Lee H. Allen (Cheryl) of Hilltop Lakes, Texas;
daughter Abbie S. Allen (Kevin Brooks) of Grimes; stepdaughters,
Cynthia J. Baker (Galen) of Clearfield, Kathy M. Brown (Gary) of Lenox
and Christie K. Brown (Bill) of Lenox; sister-in-law Elaine Tobis of
Des Moines; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren and a host of
nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his wives; brothers, Eldon and Ivan Allen; sister Marie Eggars; daughter Jane Allen; stepdaughter Connie Gordon and grandson
Robert Lee Allen.