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Lillian Ellen (Holbrook) Allen, 78, of Lima, Ohio, died at 3:50 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at Springview Manor, in Lima.

She was born Jan. 16, 1935, at Whitaker, to the late George W. and Rachel Catherine (Music) Holbrook. She was the youngest child born to her parents and she was the last survivor of the 11 children. On Oct. 22, 1956, in Alger, Ohio, she married the Rev. Andrew Allen, who preceded her in death on Oct. 20, 2002.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda S. (Thomas) Keller, of Lima, and Catherine D. “Cathy” (Stephen) Potter, of Gahanna, Ohio; a step-daughter, Roberta (Rev. Ezra) Moore, of Lima, Ohio; two grandsons, Jonathan Andrew (Cecelia) Ridgeway, of Findlay, Ohio, and Andrew Shawn “Andy” Allen, of Lima; a granddaughter, Jessika L. Yoakam (Eric) Phillips, of Elida,Ohio; three step-granddaughters, Rose Moore (Donald) Webb, of Alger, Ohio, Linda Moore (Robert) O’Brien, of Elida, and Suzanne Moore (Harold) James, of Lima; three great granddaughters, Lily Jayne Phillips, Macy Rae Phillips and Breece Ann Phillips, all of Elida; a great grandson, Nathan Andrew Ridgeway, of Findlay; step great granddaughters, Alyson Nicole Ridgeway, of Findlay, Christina Webb (Timothy) Crum, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Stephanie Webb, of Alger, Angela “Angie” Miller, of Delphos, Ohio, and Aimee (Jay) Cotten, of Cridersville, Ohio; and step great grandsons, Craig (Yukiko) Hoffman, of Hyogo, Japan, and Dallas (Tara) Hoffman, of Elida. She is also survived by step great great granddaughters, Kaitlyn Cox, of Lima, Isabella Hoffman, of Elida, Yumi Hoffman, of Hyogo, Japan, and Claire Cotten, of Cridersville, and step great great grandsons, Brandon Kenny and Zachary Hoffman, both of Elida, and Joey Miller, of Delphos. Survivors also include sisters-in-law, Barbara (Fields) Holbrook, of Parma, Ohio, Ruby (Dyer) Holbrook, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Betty Holbrook, of Lima, and several loving nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a long-time caregiver, Terry Kilgore, of Lima, and several special friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Timothy Shawn “Tim” Allen, on Nov. 6, 2011; step-daughters, Maredia (Cecil) Wright and Barbara Allen; a step-son, Warnie Allen; a step grandson, Darvin D. Wright; five sisters, Hattie Holbrook Wright, Letha Holbrook (Elmer) Williams, Kate Holbrook, Naomi Holbrook (Clarence “Bud”) Lowe and Eva Jean Holbrook(Merrill) Butler; and five brothers and and two sisters in law, Ballard (Thelma) Holbrook, Rev. Willard “Jake” (Betty) Holbrook, Rev. Gale Holbrook, Rev. James Holbrook and Gus Holbrook.

Mrs. Allen was a 1953 graduate of Roundhead High School. She graduated in 1954 from Northwestern School of Commerce (now the University of Northwestern Ohio) with an accounting diploma. She graduated from Northwestern Business College (now the University of Northwestern Ohio) in 1974, with a clerk-typist diploma. She managed the Holbrook Grocery in Alger, Ohio until shortly after her marriage. She also previously worked in the accounting department at the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in Lima and as secretary at Goodwill Industries, in Lima. She enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends, shopping and listening to Christian music (especially Southern Gospel music). She had a beautiful voice and often sang solos in church when she was younger. She was very compassionate and offered a listening ear to those facing challenges. Mrs. Allen welcomed opportunities to tell others that Jesus is the source of her hope.

Mrs. Allen was a member of Cable Road Alliance Church. She was a supporter of pro-life issues.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 25, at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles – Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, 1170 Shawnee Rd., Lima, OH 45805, with Pastor Dr. Michael Boyes and her nephew, Pastor Daniel Holbrook officiating. Burial was in Preston Cemetery, Alger, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Children’s Medical Missions AMH, 15595 Waynesfield Road, Waynesfield, Ohio 45896. This is an organization which provides funding to bring children to the United States to have medical procedures performed to improve either their chances of survival or their quality of life.

Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com