Allen Richard Church

Mr. Church was born Aug. 9, 1940, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Nelson and Bernice Church. He graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 1958 and received a football scholarship to Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

During his college years, he was elected co-captain of the football team and married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Lee Davinroy, on Aug. 13, 1960. They spent two years in Kirksville, where their first son, Robbie Allen, was born five days before Allen’s graduation.

After graduating, the family moved to Mendon, Illinois, where Allen taught accounting and physical education and coached football and basketball at Unity High School. As head football coach, he led the Mustangs to their first state championship in 1965.

Allen and Nancy’s second son, Steven Allen, was born while they lived in Mendon. In 1967, the family moved to Webster Groves, Missouri, where Allen continued his teaching and coaching career at Webster Groves Senior High School.

The family later returned to Mendon after Allen was offered the principalship at Unity High School. Mendon became their first true home, where they developed a deep love for the community and made lifelong friends.

In 1974, the family made their permanent home in Casa Grande, relocating for their son Steven’s health. Allen served as principal of Casa Grande Junior High School for 13 years before moving to a district office position. He later became superintendent of the Toltec Elementary School District, retiring in 1999.

During retirement, Allen enjoyed spending summers in Munds Park, Arizona, and winters in Casa Grande.

Allen was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star and Ainad Shrine. He also was a charter member of the Truman State University Arizona Alumni Association.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Nancy; two sons, Robbie (Beth) and Steven; brother Dennis (Julie); four grandchildren, Amanda Hoff (Mike), Allison Hanley (Mike), Mikel Church (Connor) and David Church; and four great-grandchildren, Maddison, Adalyn, Emmett and Bailey.

Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Casa Grande.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Allen’s name to First Presbyterian Church of Casa Grande or Shriners Hospitals for Children.