Obituary of William Allen

William M. Allen, M.D. On December 3, 2011, William M. Allen, long time physician and resident of Zion, Illinois, at 90 years of age, was called by his Heavenly Father to his eternal home. Dr. Allen was born April 6, 1921 to Charles and Christine Allen. Growing up in Illinois, he graduated from Wheaton College in 1943, and then from Northwestern University Medical School in 1947. After marrying Pearl (aka Polly) Felten, the love of his life, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy and fulfilled his residency at Queen's Hospital in Honolulu, also serving as a county physician in Maui. From 1950 to 1961, they served as medical missionaries in the Belgian Congo with Christian Missions in Many Lands, and grew into a family with four children. They, returning to the States, Dr. Allen started his medical practice as a family practitioner at Zion Clinic, providing faithful and loving care to his patients for 25 years. He was also a founding member of North Shore Bible Chapel, ministering there for many years. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother, Craig. He is survived by his loving wife, Polly, his sister-in-law, Jackie, and four children, Larry (Jan) Allen, Nancy (Craig) McIntyre, Tim (Jane) Allen and Steve (Terri) Allen. Included are ten grandchildren, Christie, Martin, Christopher, Ben, Rob, Ron, Mandy, Heather, Chad, Jessica, and seven great-grandchildren. Dr. Allen was recognized by all who knew him to have a devout personal faith with God and to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was a man of quiet strength, gentleness and wisdom, a living example of the grace and love of God to others. One of his favorite scripture verses was II Corinthians 5:6-8, expressing his expectation of being "away from the body and present with the Lord." Visitation will be held at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, on Saturday, December 10, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00. Interment at Mount Olivet Memorial Park will follow. In lie of flowers, memorials can be sent to Wycliffe Bible Translators at P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200.