Lois M. Allen

Lois M. Allen, 89, of Springfield, died at 3:45 am on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center. She was born on March 31, 1927, in La Prairie, Illinois, the daughter of Orville G. and Alice (Ift) Musick. She married William E. Allen on August 12, 1949, and he preceded her in death on October 30, 2005. Also preceding her in death were her parents and her two brothers, Junior and Harold Musick.

Surviving are her children, Deborah K. Allen and Brian W. (Susan) Allen, all of Springfield, a granddaughter, Amy Allen, of Berkeley, California, a sister-in-law, Edith Musick, a brother-in-law, Herbert Allen, and many nieces and nephews.

Lois graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in English. A teacher, Lois spent nearly 40 years in front of a classroom, sharing with several generations of students a love of literature and an appreciation for clarity in thinking and writing. Her career began in Annawan, Illinois, where she taught high school English to students who were only several years younger than she was. She later taught seventh grade language arts in Homewood and high school English in LaSalle-Peru, where she retired from teaching. In the last decade of her life she continued her interests in writing and literature by editing her condominium association’s monthly newsletter and by participating in the association’s reading group.

She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles—in particular, diagramless ones—as well as doing work on her computer. She will be remembered for her generous nature, her equanimity, her curiosity, and her devotion to her family and to her circle of new and lifelong friends.

A private family ceremony will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Foodbank of Springfield or to the Friends of Lincoln Library, also of Springfield.