Joseph Ray Allen, 88

Joseph Ray Allen, 88, passed away on Thursday, May, 20, 2010, at his home in Hope, Idaho.

A memorial gathering will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 2765 W. Spring Creek Road, Hope, Idaho, with Tony Lowrey officiating.

Joe was born in Topeka, Kan., on Oct. 24, 1921, the son of George and Sylvia (Haddock) Allen. He grew up in the Topeka, Kan., and Gordon, Neb., area, working on the family farm, traveling between Kansas and Nebraska.

 He attended school through the eighth grade and continued to farm with his family. He met Vivian Neumann while working on the farm and was married on Dec. 30, 1940 in Nebraska. They made their home outside Gordon, Neb., moving to North Idaho in 1943.

They settled in Clark Fork, purchasing their property on West Spring Creek Road in 1952. They built their home in 1954 and enjoyed their home and family.

Following his wife Vivian’s passing on March 29, 2003, at their home, Joe met and married his second wife, Sylvia Eveland on Oct. 18, 2003, in Denver, Colo. They made their home in Hope until her death in an auto accident in January 2004.

His hobbies included traveling, sightseeing, his family, hunting, fishing, metal working, wood working, landscaping and caretaking homes in the area as a handyman.

He is survived by his sons Stan (Cheryl) Allen of Hope, and Steve (Caroline) Allen of Hope; two daughters, Beverly Mitton (Rick Province) of Ponderay, Idaho, and Bonnie Lacey Sandpoint, Idaho; 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; two brothers, Dick Allen, and Walt Allen; and three sisters, Nellie, Audrey and Martha.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two wives Vivian and Sylvia; three daughters, Caroline, Betty, and Donna; four brothers, Grant, Charles, Nolen and John; and a sister, Mary.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Joe’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.