Paul Dean Allen, age 89 of Huey, Illinois, passed away on June 25, 2026. He was born at home in rural Carlyle, Illinois, on May 29, 1937, to Earl Allen and Lavenia (Apple) Allen.
Mr. Allen was a lifelong resident of Huey since the late 1960s. He served as a Sergeant (E-5) Airborne Ranger and left service in 1967 from Fort Leonard Wood. Paul earned a Master’s of Physical Education from McKendree College and was a Breese public school 7th and 8th-grade baseball and basketball coach. He later started Paul Allen Logging, and his son Dennis joined in the summers and on weekends in 1985. In 1997, they formed Paul & Dennis Allen Logging. Known as one of the hardest-working men in Southern Illinois, Paul was admired for his strong work ethic, love of square dancing, coon hunting, fishing, and water skiing. He was proud of his one-third American Indian heritage.
Mr. Allen is survived by a son, Dennis Allen (Amanda) of Centralia; a daughter, Jodi Zak (Jeff) of Auburn; his grandchildren, Marcey Alexander (Anthony), Jayden Zak, Rory Zak, Abigail Allen, Randly Pursley, and Logan Pursley (Mika); and his great-grandchildren, Amya Alexander, Adrian Pursley, Isabelle Pursley, and Ezra Pursley.
Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lavenia (Apple) Allen; sisters, Luella Essington and Shirley Elling; and brothers, Donald Allen and Dallas Allen.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Zieren Funeral Home (1111 Clinton St., Carlyle) in Carlyle, Illinois, with burial and military honors to follow at McKendree Chapel Cemetery in Keyesport, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Zieren Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centralia Squares (617 Oakdale Dr, Centralia, IL 62801); Dandy Dancers (10001 Bunkum Rd, Fairview Heights, IL 62208); Illinois Square Dance Federation (illinoissquaredance.org); or Huey Methodist Church (330 Huey St, Huey, IL 62252). Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
