Michael Allen

Michael Shawn Allen was born the son of Archie Allen and Helen (Stith) Allen on June 27, 1962, in Thayer, Missouri, and departed this life on May 28, 2017, at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 54 years.

He was united in marriage on May 16, 1999, in Thayer, Missouri, to Sharlet (Putman) Allen.

He is survived by his wife, Sharlet Allen, of the home in Thayer, Missouri; three children, Mikayla Shae Allen, Jadyn Sage Allen and Jordan Seth Reed and wife, Emily, all of Thayer, Missouri; three brothers, Harvey Allen and wife, Marcia, of Thayer, Missouri, Dane Allen of Springfield, Missouri, and Lark Allen of Gilbert, South Carolina; two sisters, Dian Hensley of Mt. Vernon, Missouri and Lana Armstrong and husband, Ernie of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; one granddaughter, Myla Reed of Thayer, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Patricia Allen of Springfield, Missouri; five nephews, Eric Allen, Matthew Allen, Aaron Hensley, Andrew Hensley, and Nickolas Allen; one niece, Bevely Bailey; three great nieces; five great nephews; one great-great nephew; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vernon and Sharon Putman of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Helen Allen; one brother-in-law, Vernon Putman, Jr. and one infant niece.

Mike graduated from Thayer High School with the class of 1980. He was a prolific athlete, playing and earning accolades in football, track and basketball and also sang with the high school Boy’s Quartet. Mike was well-liked by his school-mates and was voted Mr. THS his senior year of high school. He made many friends while in school, many of which he kept for the duration of his life. After high school, Mike attended SMSU in Springfield, Missouri and worked at Bass Pro before moving back to Thayer and working for Allen American Realty as a real-estate agent for his family-owned real-estate office. He later began working at Cover Lumber Company in Thayer where he made many friends as well. Mike found a career in his father’s footsteps on the railroad where he was hired in 1996 for Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway as a conductor. In 1998 he became a locomotive engineer and spent the rest of his time with BNSF driving freight trains. Mike was a well-respected engineer and was well-liked by his colleagues, many of whom he grew close to during his 19 year career with BNSF.

Mike loved being outside, especially by the water. Going to the lake in the summer with his family and friends was a favorite past-time. He loved to boat and water-ski as well as to sit around the campfire with his loved ones. Mike had a love for travel that was instilled in him from his childhood. Mike took his family on many vacations to the beach where fond memories were made. He remained a life-long Thayer Bobcat supporter and fan. Mike loved attending Bobcat sports events, especially to watch his children play. Mike was a family-man at heart and found great joy in spending time with his wife and love of his life, whom he built a beautiful life and family with, his brothers and sisters who he always remained close to, as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins and his granddaughter, whom he was known to as “Poppy”.

Mike was a member of the Thayer Church of Christ and also attended church with his family at the Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church. He loved and enjoyed worshipping with both of his church families. He had a gift of being able to strike up a conversation and make people feel important. Mike’s sense of humor can be remembered by all. He loved to joke and make people laugh as much as he loved to laugh himself. There was seldom a dull moment when around Mike.

Mike’s laugh and loving nature, his kindness and willingness to help his family and friends and his warm smile will be cherished always by those who knew him. Mike will be remembered as a wonderful husband and dad, brother and uncle, as well as a friend.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Christ in Thayer with Shawn Deree officiating.

Burial will be in Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the ALS Association of St. Louis Regional at 2258 Weldon Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63146 or may be left at the funeral home.