Neil William Allen

      Neil William Allen, a lifelong resident of Ithaca, MI, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 8, 2023 at the age of 74. Neil passed away with his family and loved ones at his side and is now enjoying the peace and glory of heaven, where he’s no doubt telling tall tales and continuing to make everyone laugh. 
     Neil was born October 13, 1949 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, the seventh, and perhaps most precocious, of Frank and Ruby Allen’s ten children. His family moved to the United States when he was four, and eventually to Alma, MI. Neil liked to share with everyone that he graduated third in his class at Alma High School in 1968… alphabetically, that is. On January 2, 1969, he married his love, Linda Bigelow of Breckenridge, MI, and together they were blessed to share nearly 55 years of marriage together, while raising their beloved family. 
     Neil volunteered and enlisted as a Private First Class in the Marines in 1969 and served his country in Vietnam, where he was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal in July 1970. He was awarded multiple medals and citations for his actions and bravery during his tenure with the Marines. 
     Upon returning from Vietnam, Neil was hired by the City of Ithaca in the Department of Public Works, where he continued his service for over 35 years. His hard work ethic and skills ultimately led to various promotions, including his role as Director of the DPW, a position in which he served until his retirement in 2006. 
     Neil enjoyed his retirement years, which afforded him opportunities to spend time with family, especially his two grandsons, who brought him so much laughter and joy. Neil also enjoyed spending time with friends, which he made easily with his gentle nature and sly sense of humor. He enjoyed many years of camping at Just-In-Time Campground in Ithaca, where he would join friends around the horseshoe pit or in a game of cornhole. In 2011, Neil and Linda purchased a second home on Caribou Lake in Detour, Michigan, where they made amazing memories with family and enjoyed time at the Senior Center with friends. Neil loved sitting around the campfire telling stories, setting up the shooting range for his grandsons to shoot water balloons, or just puttering around the UP property on his Kubota. He spent countless hours in his woodshop, sometimes building amazing projects, and other times just enjoying his secluded man cave and napping in his hammock. 
     Neil leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda, along with his children Troy Allen (Jennifer) and Traci Baker (Bill). Additionally, he will be forever missed by his adoring grandsons, Travis Allen and Lucas Allen. He also leaves behind eleven brothers and sisters, which includes his in-laws, with whom he was very close, along with dozens of adoring nieces and nephews. Additionally, Neil leaves behind two special lifelong friends and fellow Marines, Gary Bupp and Rick Terwilliger. Neil was preceded in death by his daughter, Jody Lynn, and his parents, Frank and Ruby Allen, along with his mother-in-law, Mary Pratt and many comrades from the Marine Corp.
     Funeral services will be at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca MI on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating. Burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.   
    Memorial Contributions in Neil's honor may be made to Lions Club of Michigan, 995 North Jerome Road, Ithaca, MI 48847 or MyMichigan Health Cancer Center, 4000 Wellness Dr., Midland, MI 48670. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.