Michael Allen

Memorial services for Mike Allen will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the First Christian Church with Pastor David Logsdon officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm and Monday from 10:00 am till 7:00 pm at the funeral home. The cremated remains will be interred in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home Memorial contributions in memory of Mike are asked to be made to: First Christian Church, P.O. Box 646, Cleveland, Oklahoma 74020. Michael was born January 12, 1950, in Horton, Kansas. He was the son Rolland Ross and Doris Kathleen (Reinertsen) Allen. Mike began his education in Horton. He moved with his family frequently due to his dadís employment with the telephone company. In 1963, they moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma. Mike began his freshman year in Cleveland later graduating with the Class of 1968. During his time in high school Mike was very active in Cleveland High School athletics. He ended his career by participating in the All State Football game in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following high school Mike enrolled at Northeastern State University. After the completion of a semester Mike began working for a small electrical contractor. On August 28, 1970, in Cleveland, Oklahoma Mike was united in marriage to the love of his life Cheryl Greenwood and to that union there are two children, Michael Ryan and Jonathan Daniel. After several years working in the electrical industry Mike accepted the position as lineman with the Indian Electric Cooperative in July of 1973. After nearly 40 years of employment with the IEC, Mike worked hard and advanced to the position of Technical Services Supervisor. It was his desire that he would have been able to return to work if only for one day. He loved his IEC family and missed seeing them when he became unable to work. Mike confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour and was baptized at the First Christian Church in Cleveland at a young age. Mike was active at FCC where he has served as deacon for many years. He was also privileged to teach the Whatsoever Sunday School class until he was unable to do so. Mike also drove the church bus for many years bringing children to the First Christian Church to learn about the Lord. Mike was very active with his sons. He served as a coach and referee on numerous occasions. His favorite sport was high school football and spent many years after the boys graduated helping out. Mike worked on the chain crew at the football games and later began operating the scoreboard in the press box for all home games for many years long after his boys graduated. Mike passed away following a couragous battle with cancer on Friday, April 26, 2013, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 63 years, three months and fourteen days. Survivors are his wife Cheryl of the home, two sons Michael Ryan Allen, Jonathan Daniel Allen and his wife Adrienne all of Cleveland, Oklahoma, three sisters Ellen and Ed Cloninger of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Elaine Kowalski of Afton, Oklahoma, Theresa and Nick Lund of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; one grandson Daniel Thomas Allen plus a host of relatives and friends and church family. Mike was preceded in death by his parents.