Joe Allen

Joe Allen, 96, of Moline passed away Wednesday July 5, 2023, at his home.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday July 18, 2023, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Moline.  Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Monday at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. The burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Joe was born on August 4, 1926, in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Joe and Daisy (Mitchell) Allen, Sr. He moved at an early age to Rock Island and was raised by his uncle, Sam Allen and Lucille (Donaldson) Allen. Joe attended grade school and junior high. At the age of 14, he worked and drove mail trucks with Sam Allen. In 1946, he served in the Navy, and was a WWII Veteran. Joe was an avid sports enthusiast. He bowled in several leagues, traveling all over the country in tournaments. He played a mean game of pool and pitched softball in the minor league at Douglas Park in Rock Island. Dad married Helen E. McAdams in 1950 and have been married for 73 years on June 25th of this year. From that union came 5 girls and a son. Joe supported his children in any event: track, baseball, football, singing, he was always there. Joe could cook and dance and he taught his children. We were and are his loves.

Joe enjoyed and entertained himself with his jazz music. He favored Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis, Coltrane and Winton Marsalis to name a few. Joe still rose every morning at 4 a.m., made breakfast and coffee for Mom. He read his bible daily focusing on “Paul”. His work ethic never changed. Joe retired from John Deere and Co. as foundry worker and foreman after 38 years. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church for 50 plus years after retirement he worked as the church custodian.

Joe was affiliated with King Solomon Temple, the Masons and a charter member of the Rock Island Elks. Everyone who knew Joe Allen considered him one of Rock Island’s Founding Brothers from the streets, to the church, to the foundry.

He was preceded in death by his son, JoJo; daughter, Sheiron and grandson, C.J.

Leaving behind is his wife, Helen; daughters, Stephanie, Saundra, Susan and Sheila; grandchildren, Corey (Elisa) Anders, Kendall (Tommy) Miles, Shawntelle Thornton, Ronald (Aretha) Edwards, Justin (Cecelia) Edwards, Jordan and Jessica Edwards, Lateef and Kenya Allen McDowell and Brittany “Whitney” (Phil) Lang and Cheyenne Banks; 18 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family. Rest in Peace “Old Soldier”.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.