The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

September 19, 1942 - Saturday, pg. 6, col. 4

 

 

MARSHA JANE (Ballard) ALLEN

 

Mrs. Marsha Jane Allen, Native of Prophetstown, Succumbs Friday Night

 

Mrs. Marsha Jane Allen, 90, a native of Prophetstown and resident for many years, passed away at midnight Friday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Sylvia Hobson, of Prophetstown, where she had made her home for the past nine yearss.  She suffered a stroke in June, 1940, and had been confined to her bed since.  The body was removed to the Helm and Helm mortuary.  Funeral plans are not complete.

 

She was born March 13, 1852, in Prophetstown, daughter of O. T. and Sylvia Ralyea Ballard. She spent her early youth in Prophetstown and later went to Michigan with her parents. She was married to William Allen of Quebec, Ontario, Canada, July 16, 1868, at Grand Rapids, Mich.  They lived in Grand Rapids for a number of years and then moved to Prophetstown.  Mr. Allen passed away in Prophetstown, July 16, 1928, on their 60th wedding anniversary.

 

Mrs. Allen was a member of the Prophetstown Congregational church, a former member of the Order of Eastern Star and for many years was an active worker in the Sharon church in Portland township. She was known as a good Christian woman and a kind neighbor.

 

Surviving are one son, Fred R. Allen, Clinton, Iowa;  two daughters, Mrs. C. C. Reynolds and Mrs. Hobson, Prophetstown;  one sister, Mrs. Amelia Spencer, Grand Rapids, who is 94 years old;  five grandchildren, William Allen, Lyon, Iowa,  L. R. Arnett, Long Beach, Calif.,  Clyde Reynolds, Prophetstown, Mrs. C. L. Clark, Springfield, Ill., and Mrs. R. W. Meeker, Rantoul;  nine great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

 

Besides her husband she was precided in death by five brothers and two sisters.

 

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The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

September 21, 1942 - Monday, pg 6, col. 5

 

Final Rites for Mrs. Marsha Allen Sunday Held at Funeral Home

 

Funeral services for Mrs. Marsha Allen, 90, who died Friday night, were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Helm and Helm funeral home in Prophetstown. Rev. I. C. Campbell, pastor of the Congregational church, officiated.  Mrs. H. F. Eshelman sang "City Four Square."  Interment was in Riverside cemetery at Prophetstown.  Nephews and grandsons who attended the casket were James Bryant of Hillsdale, Andrew Ballard of Hooppole, William Allen of Lyons, Iowa, and Frank Ballard, Lauren Ballard and Clyde Reynolds.  Mrs. Abram Thompson and Mrs. Rose Beeman assisted with the many beautiful floral pieces.

 

Those from a distance who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Allen of Clinton, Iowa,  Mr. and Mrs. William Allen, son Ralph and daughter, Janice, of Lyons, Iowa,  Mrs. Rena Thorpe of Geneseo,  Mr. and Mrs. John Cocking,  Mr., and Mrs. R. O. Hunter and family,  Mr. and Mrs., Henry Sohrbeck of Erie,  Mr. and Mrs. Victor Eckdahl of Tampico,  Mr. and Mrs. James Bryant of Hillsdale.