Vernon Allen

Funeral services for Vernon Lee "Shade Ollie" Allen, 76, of Temple will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Harper-Talasek Funeral Home Chapel in Belton. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00 pm at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Mr. Allen passed away Monday, June 15, 2015 at a local care center.

He was born in Drift, Kentucky on January 12, 1939 to the late Graden and Margaret (Adams) Allen. Vernon grew up in Hunter, KY and graduated high school in Martin, KY. He moved away from Kentucky and the life of a coal miner and joined the U.S. Army on October 14, 1958. He served his country for 30 years and reached the rank of Command Sergeant Major before his retirement on October 31, 1988. He earned many awards during his military career, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm, Vietnam Civil Actions Medal-First Class, Drill Sergeant ID Badge, Army Commendation Medal-2, Meritorious Service Medal-3, Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon-5, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon-2, Army Good Conduct Meda-10, Expert Qualification Badge M-16 Rifle and the Legion of Merit. While in the Army he attended night school and earned a BS in Engineering Management from Park College. Vernon loved his country and one of his favorite songs was "God Bless the U.S.A".

As a young man in the Army Vernon met the love of his life, Ingeborg Helene Karl, in Germany. When he came back to the states he kept in contact with her through letters and on June 26, 1962 they were married in Schweinfurt, Germany. They were married for 53 years.

Vernon was a dedicated and loving family man. Family was always important to him, even those that lived miles away. He touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with even if a complete stranger. Being the humble man he was, Vernon was always the first to apologize even if it wasn't his fault. After retiring from the military he and Inge lived in Waynesville, Missouri where he was a member of the International Lutherans Laymen's League and Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club. He and Inge attended the Faith Lutheran Church in Missouri and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple. After his Army retirement, he worked as a training developer/specialist at the Engineering School. Vernon loved to go camping, fishing and working in the yard, but most of all he loved to spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Larry and Curtis Ray and one sister, Betty.

Survivors include his wife, Inge, of Temple; one son, Dennis Lee Allen of Iowa; one daughter, Debbie Beaty of Belton; one sister, Esta Berta; three brothers, James Allen, Beauford Allen and Danny Salisbury; three grandchildren, Jessica Bridge, Devan Allen and Vernon Allen; six great-grandchildren, Ariel, Cheyanne, Madalyn, Charlee, Jensen and Ezra. He is also survived by many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lutheran Laymen's League, St. Louis Seminary or the Wounded Warriors Project.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Harper-Talasek Funeral Home Chapel in Belton.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Funeral Home Chapel
503 N. Main St.
Belton, TX  76513
Monday, June 22, 2015
6:00-8:00 pm

Service

HarperTalasek Funeral Chapel
503 N. Main St.
Belton, TX  76513
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
10:00 am

Cemetery

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542

Memorial Contributions

PO BOX 758517
Topeka, KS  66675


660 Mason Ridge Center Rd.
St. Louis, MO  63141


801 Seminary Place
St. Louis, MO  63105