Barbara K. Allen

Barbara K. Allen, 81, of Dowagiac, Mich., and formerly of Roseland, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Lakeland Spectrum Hospital in Niles, Mich.

She was born on Dec. 26, 1939, in Mounds, the daughter of  Rex and Freda Mize Wilburn.  

She lived in Mounds until she moved to Clay Township in Indiana during high school and graduated from Washington-Clay High School.  

On June 28, 1958, she married Thomas R. Allen Sr. at Christ the King Church in South Bend, Ind. 

A wonderful homemaker for much of her life, she also took pride in teaching with the Head Start program in South Bend.  

After retirement, she worked at Photography by Joyce in Roseland and greatly enjoyed time with her customers. 

When time permitted she took every opportunity to treasure hunt whether it was antiquing, tag or estate sales. 

Her most prized possession was time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. The family has had many wonderful memories of times spent together. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas R. Allen Sr.; a son, Thomas R. Allen, Jr.; her brothers, Kenneth Wilburn and Kevin Klasner; and her best friends Peggy Brown-Clark, Joyce Brown and Barbara Miltenberger.

She is survived by her children, Kimberley Brockleman of Dowagiac, Ronald Allen Sr. of Dowagiac and Peggy (Paul) Barber of Roseland; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, Kaysee Anne Baker, Ronald Dale (Becky) Allen, Jr. and their daughter, Gracie Renee, Thomas Westley (Jessica) Brockleman, and their children, Ace Allen and Sage Renee, Daniel Russel (Keyra) Allen and their children, Mason Daniel and Morrison Daniel, Jesse Allen (Molly) Brockleman and their son, Cain James, Alexandra Ann Allen and Kimberley Elizabeth Barber. 

She also will be missed by her cherished sister, Debra (Bill) Prowell of Marion; a special sister-in-law, Sandy Wilburn of Pulaski; and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A remembrance service is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles, Mich.

A private interment was held at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka, Ind.

In keeping with her love of education, friends are asked to consider donating school supplies to a local Head Start program.

Memories can be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles, Mich., was in charge of arrangements.