Alona Jewell Allen

Alona J. Allen, age 99, of Lake Odessa, passed away very peacefully on March 11, 2022 at Green Acres, Ionia. She was born on December 14, 1922 to John “Wes” and Ruth Desgranges. She was married to Roger Allen on October 8, 1943. They had 73 great years together until Roger passed away on July 20, 2017. They had three children: Jim, Bill and Barb. They were preceded in death by sons Jim and Bill.

Alona is survived by daughter Barb (John) Kruis, daughters-in-law Linda Allen and RuthAnn (Ernie) Newman, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

The Desgranges were a large family. Alona was the fifth of eleven children. She was preceded in death by Laura (Forest) Haney, Willard (Liz), Paul (Frieda) (Orpha), Lavon (Dorothy), Clarence (Nancy), Opal (John) Booher, Arloa (Pete) Lee, Elwood, Aubrey “Bill” (Barb), and Glenn (Dee) (Jude).

Roger and Alona owned a farm on Jordan Lake Road, Lake Odessa. They farmed very successfully with sons Jim and Bill. When they decided to “slow down”, they began spending winters in LaBelle, Florida with many of their family and friends. They had great times and a lot of fun playing golf, playing cards, having meals together, and just enjoying each others’ company. Many lasting relationships and memories were made there, and of course, back home in Lake Odessa.

Alona was a woman of faith. She faithfully read her devotional (she liked Charles Stanley) and her bible every day. She leaned on the Lord and found her strength in Him. She was thanking and praising Him as He was preparing her for eternity.

Visitation will be held at Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa on March 16, 2022 from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on March 17, 2022 at 11 a.m., at Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lake Odessa.

The family extends their most sincere gratitude to Green Acres, Ionia and Kindred Hospice. They provided exceptional, loving care to Alona, for which we are truly thankful.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

Bless the Orphans, P.O. Box 115, Shelbyville, MI 49344.

Kindred Hospice, 625 Kenmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.