Jack Ambrose Allen was born February 28, 1923 in Waterloo, Iowa: the son of Jan and Myrtle (Bender) Allen. Jack graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1941. He served in World War II with the US Army where he received the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon; European-African-Middle East Theatre Ribbon; Victory Ribbon; two Overseas Bars; two Bronze Stars for Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns; a Purple Heart along with his Combat Infantry Badge.
Jack Married Dorothy Weil on April 12, 1947. He worked at John Deere before retiring in 1978. Jack was a terrific story teller and an avid fisherman, artist, and woodcarver. He was a wonderful husband and grandfather and a roll model for other fathers.
Jack passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 83. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Stanley Ellsworth Allen. Jack is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Council Bluffs, IA; 6 children: Carolyn (Gary) Derifield of Waverly, IA, John (Linda) Allen of Council Bluffs, IA, Gladys (Scott) Diehl of Council Bluffs, IA, Stanley (Jane) Allen of Omaha, NE, Mary (Mike) Dvorak of Fairbank, IA and Leo Allen of Elizabethtown, KY; 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated by Father Dennis Colter, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Waterloo, IA. Pallbearers were Mike Dvorak; Brian Allen; Jack Allen II; Todd Derifield; Joshua Dvorak; Chad Allen; Nathan Dvorak and Joel Allen. Graveside Military rites were held by the Becker-Chapman Post 138 American Legion and Waterloo Post 1623 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Interment in the Garden of Memories, Waterloo, Iowa.