Allen Babcock

CUSTOM DEATH NOTICEAllen Dean Babcock, 87, of Decatur, passed away at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Fair Havens Christian Home.Funeral services will be held at 1:00 Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Visitation will be 4-6:30 p.m., Friday, March 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL, with military rites by the Macon County Honor Guard.In lieu of flowers, the family requests balloon bouquets and/or memorials may be made to West Decatur Church of God.Allen was born on February 28, 1921, in Decatur, the son of George and Lonely (Pruitt) Babcock. He married Velma Mae Pate on October 2, 1949, in Decatur. She preceded him in death.Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army, in 1941, serving his country during World War II. He served in Africa with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry, and then in Sicily, in England on D-Day, in France, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, and in Germany, fighting in the Battle of Huertgen Forrest. Amongst other medals, Allen received two Purple Hearts during his time of service. Allen retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1977, after 36 years of service. Allen was a member of West Decatur Church of God, where he also served as Deacon and Elder. He was an avid circus fan and was a member of Circus Fans of America.Surviving are his sons Dennis Dean Babcock and wife Linda; Steven Scott Babcock and companion Sharon Searl, all of Decatur; grandchildren Ricardo (Rick) Martinez and fianc` Liz Mocak, currently in Dijon, France; Steven Tyler Martinez, an honor student at Millikin University in Decatur; and Stacey Jayne Babcock, a student at Eisenhower High School and Richland Community College in Decatur.Allen was preceded in death by his parents, wife Velma, brother Jim Babcock, and sister Virginia Withers.Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com "
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