Allen Lee Gerfen, age 71, of Waldo, died early Monday morning, March 21, 2016, at the Marion Manor Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family following an extended illness.
On August 25, 1944, Allen was born the oldest of seven children of the late Paul John and Bonnie Jean (Sims) Gerfen. He was raised in Waldo, and graduated from River Valley High School with the first graduating class in 1963.
Shortly following graduation, Allen enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army in February of 1964. He spent his tour of duty in Stuttgart, Germany, until November of 1966, when he received his honorable discharge.
While on leave from the Army, Allen returned home to marry the love of his life, Delores “Doris” Myers, whom he had known since his childhood. They were married at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waldo, where they were both baptized and were members. Together they shared forty five wonderful years of marriage, and lovingly raised three children. She preceded him in death on October 15, 2011.
Allen worked for eighteen years at Marion Tecumseh until they closed, then two years at Belmar Products in Marysville. Next, after twenty years of service at the Central Ohio Farmers Co-Op, he retired in 2007.
Sharing a love for traveling with Doris, they enjoyed spending their winters in Okeechobee, Florida, and visiting Las Vegas and Hawaii every chance they got. They also loved camping in their R.V. in Florida, and at the County Music Park in Marengo.
Always by Doris’s side, Allen loved to help her with the many woodworking projects she would come up with. She would see a picture of something, and he would help her figure out how to make it.
Allen was a member of the American Legion Post 605, and formerly was a member of the Waldo Sportsmans Club.
Allen will be dearly missed his three wonderful children: Tisha (Gordon) Hilliker of Waldo, Shannon (Tami) Gerfen of Waldo, and Rick (Lorie) Gerfen of Marion; eight beautiful grandchildren: Casey and Cody Hilliker, Alexus Gerfen, Clarissa (Paul) Holcomb, Emily and Jacob Gerfen, Sean (Erica) Carr, and Audra (Dominick) Chango; six great-grandchildren: Sean, Aleah, and Lily Mae Holcomb, Rayma Smith, and Avery and Adalynn Chango; two sisters: Donna (Robert) Barkley of Ashley, and Lisa (John) Arthur of Marion; three brothers: Richard (Betty) Gerfen of Waldo, Gary Gerfen of Marion, and Ronald (Linda) Gerfen of Delaware; a sister-in-law, Arlene Gerfen of Richwood; a brother and sister-in-law, Edgar (Joyce) Myers of Okeechobee, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Allen was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Gerfen; and two sisters-in-law: Evelyn Jones and Donna (Lloyd Vinten) Myers.
The Gerfen family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23rd, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 135 W. Main St., with Pastors Sarah Schaaf and Dwight Hord officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Waldo Cemetery. Family and friends will then all be welcomed to join them at a meal in Allen’s honor at the Fort Morrow Fire Dept. Banquet Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Morrow Fire Dept., 306 N. Main St., Waldo, OH 43356 or to Marion County Agricultural Society, c/o Swine Building Project, 220 E. Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Allen’s family and your favorite memories and condolences may be shared with them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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