Roberta Allen

Roberta Brabant Allen, 99, died at 8:21 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2011 in Godfrey, Illinois.  “Berta” as she was known, was born April 17, 1912 in Pleasanton, Kansas and graduated with honors from the University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism in 1932 while working as Treasurer of three different sororities to pay her tuition.  While at KU she met her future husband, Dr. Hubert Lee Allen Jr., who died in 1981.  She lived in Fort Scott, Kansas, raising her children while Lt. Col. Allen was director of a MASH unit during World War II for four years in the South Pacific.  The family has an amazing collection of over 2000 letters they exchanged which reflect the effect of the war and years of long separation on their small family.  The letters are being compiled into a book.  They moved to Alton upon Dr. Allen’s return from overseas where he practiced for more than 35 years, delivering thousands of babies.  Beloved mother of Hubert Lee Allen III, deceased (Marion) ofN. Branford, Ct., Benjamin B. Allen (Trudi) of Grafton, IL and Christopher C. Allen (Rosie) of Locust Dale, VA.  Loving grandmother to Geoffrey Allen, Benjamin Allen Jr., Peter Allen (Gina), Betsy Puent (John), Cade Miller (Metaxia), Spencer Allen (Rachel), Stephanie Allen (Fabrizio) and Bryce Allen.  Great grandmother to Geoffrey and Ashley Allen, Hunter Wyatt and Hubert Phog Allen, Lily, Claire and Jack Puent; Lilliana Miller, Amelia and Charles Allen.  Berta was preceded in death by her husband, son Hubert L. Allen III, a grandson Hubert Lee Allen IV and a daughter-in-law, Beverly Allen.  Berta served on the Alton woman’s Home Board, Community Service League, AAUW, Alton Planning Commission and was a member of PEO chapter IL.  She loved gardening and enjoyed the piano and violin.  Berta always maintained her attitude of positive living and found good in everyone.  She enjoyed reminiscing about her years of growing up in a small Kansas farm community and laughed about being Captain of her high school basketball team, the Pleasanton Blue Jays.  A celebration of her life will be held on April 17, 2012 which would have been her 100th birthday.  An announcement will be made beforehand.  Memorials may be made to the Grafton Food Pantry 118 East Main Street, P.O.Box 287, Grafton, IL 62037 or a charity of one’s choice.  Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com 

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home