John W. Allen, 85, died March 18, 2014, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 20, 1928, in Moline, Ill., to Wayne and Grace (Cummings) Allen.

John graduated from Burlington High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. John worked at Morton Salt for 33 years and was a member of South Hutchinson United Methodist Church.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, being outdoors and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed watching Kansas sports teams play, read Western books and watched Western movies.

On Aug. 6, 1950, he married Alta Shaff in South Hutchinson.

They shared 63 years of marriage. She survives. Other survivors include: daughter, Kathleen Keffer; son, Tracy Allen and wife Barbie, all of South Hutchinson; daughter-in-law, Robin Allen of Shawnee; sister-in-law, Betty Tucker of South Hutchinson; grandchildren, Amber Wright and husband Marcus of Norman, Okla., Steven Dauber and wife Grace of Hutchinson, Abby Hicks and husband Tyler of Shawnee, Kendra Hughes and husband Shane of Shawnee, Kris Keffer of South Hutchinson, Austin Allen of South Hutchinson; great-grandchildren, Ally Wright of Norman, Okla., Wyatt and Emmett Dauber of Hutchinson, Maddox and Keira Hughes of Shawnee. John was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeffrey Allen; and a grandson, John Michael Allen.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Warren Hett officiating. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the mortuary.

Memorials may be made to South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.