Sherman L. Allen, 77, died Dec. 10, 2012, at his home in East Troy. He was born born Aug. 1, 1935, to the late Thadeus and Margaret (Larsen) Allen.
He was the third oldest and last to be born in a log cabin in Park Falls. Due to hard times, at the age of 11 he was placed in Wisconsin Child Center in Sparta, along with his three brothers and one sister.
Upon enlisting in the US Army in 1953, he was stationed at Fort Carlson, Colo., and was a ski instructor at Camp Vale before it became a well-known resort. He attended MSOE (Milwaukee School of Engineering) and graduated with a journeyman’s license in heating and air conditioning.
On Jan. 3, 1970, he was united in marriage to Diane Fredrich in Oconomowoc. Sherman was employed as a maintenance mechanic with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for over 11 years, retiring in 2001.
Sherman belonged to the Elkhorn Lion’s Club for over 30 years, holding all offices at the club level and several at district level, including Cabinet Secretary & Treasurer and elected District Governor. He achieved the prestigious Lion’s International President’s Award and the most cherished Melvin Jones Fellow Award.
He loved hunting, fishing, football, stock car racing, building model airplanes, politics and Fox News. He enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army and participating in the Lakeland School Christmas Party each year.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Diane; his son, Bradley Robert (Natalie) Allen of Cabot, Ariz.; nine siblings: Lyle (Delores) Allen of Watertown, Marlene Rudolph of Manitowoc, James Allen of Oconomowoc, Robert (Gloria) Allen of Lowell, Darlene Allen of Watertown, Dale (Linda) Allen of Oconomowoc, Lavern Brooks of Oconomowoc, Mary Allen of Watertown, and William Allen of Fitchburg; and his mother-in-law, Georgene Fredrich of Watertown.
Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ted and Donald Allen, and his niece, Tina Nickels. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday Dec. 17, at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home, 730 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, with the Rev. Ray Bezanson officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 1 p.m. until time of service. Burial will be Tuesday at River Road Cemetery in Pipersville.
Memorials may be made in Sherman’s name to: Wisconsin Lion’s Foundation /The Pride 3834 County Road A Rosholt, WI 54473. Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory are assisting the family. Visit www.haaselockwoodfhs.com for an online guest book.
