Jesse Frank Allen

May 8, 2016

Jesse F. Allen, 88, of Mason City, died early Sunday morning, May 08, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, May 16, 2016 at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd ST. SE., Mason City. Officiating will be the Rev. Kent Mechler of Good Shepherd spiritual care team. A Gathering for family and friends will be held Sunday, from 1 to 3:00 pm at the funeral home. Jesse will be cremated and will join Mary Jane in a private scattering service held at a later date. Condolences may be shared with the family on the Fullertonfh.com website. Jess was born May 15, 1927 in Mason City, Iowa; one of eleven children of Lloyd G. and Jenny Ruth (Harris) Allen. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a frogman and pilot in the South Pacific until 1946. On his return to Mason City, he studied at Hamilton Business College. On November 2, 1946, Jess and Mary Jane Funk were united in marriage and blessed with 62 years together. To this union were born: one son James (Judy) Allen, Sun City, AZ; and three daughters Jacklyn Allen, Dixon, IL; Janice Pettigrew, Gulf Breeze, FL; Jaylene Whipple, MC, IA. Jess had a variety of occupations; he worked at Allied Mills as Foreman; owned Schwinn's Ice Cream Restaurant along with Mary Jane; employed at Deckers and Sons; Managed and tended Bar at several businesses in Mason City--the longest being at The Good Life -- until April 1983 when he and Mary Jane purchased Bill's BBQ. His daughter Jaylene bought Bill's BBQ and still operates as a family restaurant. In 1971, Jess and Mary Jane bought a farm in Nora Springs, IA; which they farmed and renovated the existing barn into their home. Jess enjoyed woodworking; including handmade chests, quilt racks, and a Doll House for his granddaughter; purchased homes to renovate and sell; reading and watching Westerns and Science Fiction; playing cribbage, and most of all -- spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jess was a past commander of the VFW, and a member of the Moose Lodge. He also received his GED at age 50 and Graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering. Jess is survived by his four children: James, Jacklyn, Janice, and Jaylene; six Grandchildren: Sean (Rachel) Pettigrew, Eric Whipple, Katie (Jake) Biwer, Jarrod (Holly) Evans, Justin Allen, and Tina Bennefield; Great-Grandchildren: Andrew and Abigail Pettigrew, Caitlin, Jesse, Devin, Jayce and Jocelyn Evans; Dan and Carly Evans; multiple Great-Great grandchildren; and Brother Jerry Allen and his former son-in-law Steve Whipple. Jess is preceded in death by: his parents, his wife, five sisters: Esther, Dorothy, Barbara, Patsy and Dixie; four brothers: Bud (Lloyd Jr), Don, Jack and Gail; son-in-law Paul Pettigrew, and grandson Jesse. Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com Facebook/Fullertonfuneralhomes