Delbert Ray Allen, 81

Delbert Ray Allen, 81, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at his home in Laclede, Idaho.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Laclede Community Church. Pastor Dan Moore will be officiating.

Delbert was born in Ainsworth, Neb., on Sept. 24, 1927, where he grew up and attended school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17, at the close of World War II. He served two tours of duty during the occupation of Japan.

He worked for the Hines Lumber Company in Burns, Ore., and followed construction work in the West. He later worked for the Bureau of Land Management, in the Humboldt National Forest in California. He managed and did maintenance work in the recreational areas of the Humboldt National Forest. He retired from the BLM in 1980 and moved to Laclede.

He was married to Grace Louise Allen and she preceded him in death in 1987.

He worked as a security guard for Riley Creek Lumber Company for four years and married Betty Allen on Aug. 21, 1988, in Silverton, Ore.

He was a member of the Laclede Community Church, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Portland, Ore.; and a longtime Grange member.

He is survived by his wife Betty Allen of Laclede; six children, Charlotte Messinger of Tigard, Ore., George Allen of Port Orchard, Wash., Delphene Kay Smith of Wasilla, Alaska, Lois Anne Courter of Rifle, Colo., Sherri Priore of Walla Walla, Wash., and Jeanette Ilene Haun of Deer Trail, Colo. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, a sister, Marian Wegoner of Hastings, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Grace; three brothers and a sister; and his baby daughter, Alba Ray.

Family and friends are invited to sign Delbert's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.