A loss in the family ... Mildred Allen

Mildred Allen, 99, of Fairbury, formerly of Forrest, IL passed away at 4:42 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury, IL. 

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Forrest, IL and from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Forrest United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday at Forrest United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services at Forrest Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury or OSF Hospice. 

She was born January 30, 1919 in Forrest a daughter of Roy and Martha (Haab) Metz.

Mildred attended the Miller Country School for 8 years. She then went to Forrest Township High School for 2 years. She loved math, a talent which she made use of throughout her life. 

She married Everett Masters on November 21, 1940 in Forrest, IL. He died in action in New Guinea on July 13, 1944. She later married Cyril Allen on November 3, 1949 in Forrest, IL. He passed away on March 23, 1970. During their marriage they hosted foreign exchange student, Fernando Claudio, with whom she has maintained contact and considered him a part of her family. 

Mildred held many jobs in her lifetime. She did housework for area families usually helping after a new baby was born; she earned $5 per week. 

She worked for 10 years at Honegger’s; she also worked at Forrest Hotel and Bachtold Brothers. 

Mildred was very active in the Forrest United Methodist Church where she was a member. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1944, and Forrest Women’s Club. She volunteered at Fairbury Hospital snack bar. 

She enjoyed doing fabric crafts and cooking. She also loved traveling. An event she fondly anticipated was the “Branson Bus” trip which she enjoyed with family and friends annually for 20 years. 

Mildred moved to Fairview Estates assisted living in 2002. She then moved to Fairview Haven in 2010. 

She is survived by her sister: Royalene Toombs. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Earl and Ivan, and her sisters: MaryAnn Plattner, Ruth Thiel, and Betty Nussbaum.

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