Orville Allen

Orville Allen was a fun loving man who devoted himself body and soul to his wife and four daughters. He was quite an instigator in many situations and loved to laugh at the commotion he could cause. He was an endless support system for his wife and children through all their hardships and ailments. Orville was a laid back man who worked on “Orville Time,” not because he was lazy but because he was meticulous and wanted things done right the first time. He was a good man, father, and husband.

President Hoover pressed a button in Washington D.C. to light up the Empire States Building in New York, marking its opening in early May of 1931. Two weeks later, many miles away, in a much smaller city in Michigan, Orville Allen was born on May 29, in Kalamazoo, to Melvin & Gertrude (Rantz) Allen. He went to grade schools in small schoolhouses in Martin and Plainwell. Ork always enjoyed sports and the competition of the game. He was on the basketball, baseball, track, and football teams. Although he did not get to play as often as he liked he found entertainment at the games. In 1949, Ork graduated from Plainwell High School. He served his country in the Army from 1949-1953, during the Korean War. Stationed in Germany, he was assigned a position with the Military Police.

When he returned from service Orville met a young woman named Ruth Bennett while dining at Daisy May’s. One look at his sparkling blue eyes and grin that spread from ear to ear and she was in love. After a whirlwind romance Ruth & Ork were married on September 29, 1956. They began their family with the first of four daughters in 1957, with girls following in 1958, 1960, & 1963. Ruth & Ork raised the children in a home that emphasized entertainment and love, along with discipline.

Ork worked alongside his father at Valley Metal for 12 years. After his father’s death in 1966, he found that the job was not quite the same and he left the company. He took a position at General Motors in Kalamazoo. He was a journeyman electrician for GM for 31 years until his retirement in 1997.

Orville was a family man first and foremost. Ruth and him enjoyed traveling around the country and taking camping trips with the children. The couple was a team, working and raising the children together. They showed their love and togetherness when moving on the dance floor during the polka or waltz. He was always surrounded by girls and despite what he might have said, he enjoyed every minute of it. Ork never wanted the girls to grow up being helpless girls though. Before they could drive one of the family cars they had to know how to change the tires and oil. They all were handy when it came to working with tools, because their father had taught them how to work each one.

In his free time he enjoyed many activities. Ork was an avid bowler and usually had Ruth on his team. He also enjoyed spending the day on the golf course, especially when it was competing against his brother Loren. He passed on his passion for the sport to his girls. Ork was always up for physical activities and competition, even though he walked away sporting an injury many days.

Ork’s family includes his loving wife of 46 years, Ruth Allen of Plainwell, daughters: Audrey & Michael Foote of Otsego, Bonnie & Michael Edie of Allendale, Judy & Bob Hayes of Martin and Tina & Bill Wilson of Plainwell; 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, sisters Beverly Sleeman of Kalamazoo and Zoan Allen of Plainwell, sister-in-law Mary Allen, brother-in-law Glenn Thomason, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a special cousin Harold & Janet Rantz. Orville died on June 16, 2003, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Janice & Loren, and granddaughter Carla Allen.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 18, from 6-8 PM & Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where a Life Story Service will be held on Friday, June 20, at 11 AM.

Please share a memory with his family or make a memorial contribution to American Heart Association.

Orville Allen grew from a “momma’s boy" into the father of four “daddy’s little girls.”