Michael Ralph Allen, 70, of De Soto died Dec. 18, 2020, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Allen was an auto body repairman, retired from Glendale Chrysler in St. Louis, and a member of Machinists Union 9. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in De Soto and was the former director of Emmanuel Baptist Food Ministry. He was an avid fisherman who loved time at the family property on Black River, and a hunter with a love for guns, trucks and tinkering. He was born July 26, 1950, in Berkley, the son of Velma (Boyd) Allen of Festus and the late Ralph D. L. Allen.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife: Joann (Cowan) Allen; four children: Trisha (Gregory Hahn) Allen of Tiff, John E. (Cassie) Allen of Galena, Kathy (Greg) Fisher of De Soto and Brent (Rosemary) Woodard of Denver, N.C.; a brother: Roger G. (Cathy) Allen of St. Peters; nine grandchildren: Tyler Michael (Angi) Allen, Trenton Allen, Casey Allen, Cody Allen, Weston Camden, Chris Fisher, Tristin Woodard, Sierra Woodard and Makena Woodard; three great-grandchildren: Alieyah Allen, Emelia Lewis and Langston Fisher; special nieces and nephew; many friends, including his Christian brothers and sisters; and his beloved dog, Sari.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in De Soto. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Food Ministry or to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 13270 State Rd CC, De Soto, 63020. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.