Leslie Allen

Leslie T. Allen, 87, former Decatur city manager, died Friday, March 27, 2015, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at Grace United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m Tuesday, March 31, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials: Grace United Methodist Church, Macon County Honor Guard, and Scovill Zoo Project Aerie. Leslie Thomas Allen was born August 6, 1927 to Jesse Thomas and Nancy Gilreath Allen, in Durant, Oklahoma. At the age of 10, he moved to Wynnewood, Oklahoma to live with his grandparents: Rev. and Mrs. M. T. Allen. Leslie graduated from Wynnewood High School in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines, then the U.S. Army, and later served in the 2nd Infantry during the Korean War, receiving the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Leslie attended the University of Oklahoma receiving his Bachelor and Master degrees in Political Science. He began his career in government in the State of Kansas Budget Department and later worked for League of Kansas Municipalities. He started his city manager career in Wamego, Kansas, and later served as city manager in Newton, Kansas and Bowling Green, Kentucky. He accepted the position of city manager for Decatur in August 1972. Leslie retired in 1988 after 16 years, Decatur's longest serving City Manager. After retiring from Decatur he was interim city manager for Paducah, Kentucky, Washington, Illinois, and Mt. Zion, Illinois. He also worked with Forsyth, Cerro Gordo, and Harristown, Illinois on their city issues. He enjoyed working with the people in each of these cities. In 1988, at the International City Managers Conference, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was selected as the Outstanding City Manager of the Year. He was honored to have many of his former assistant city managers present when he received this award. Leslie had served as state president of city managers in Kansas, Kentucky, and Illinois, and was given the Lifetime Achievement award from the Illinois City Managers Association. Besides being active with city government, he served each community in other ways. Leslie was active in his church, Grace United Methodist Church, the Decatur Salvation Army Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Golden K's, YMCA board, and volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital for over 20 years. Leslie received many awards for his community service, including: Sertoma Service to Mankind award, First Member of Golden K Kiwanis to attain 10,000 hours of community service, and Founding Father of the Decatur Celebration Award. Leslie married Lauretta Ninman on September 5, 1953, in El Reno, Oklahoma. Surviving are his wife Lauretta of Decatur, IL; sons: Leslie II (Sheila) of Bloomington, IL, John (Sue) of Forsyth, IL; grandchildren: Paul (Wendy), Ashleigh (Floyd), Bailey (Jared), and Brooke; great-grandchildren: Peter, Theo, Adlee, Cooper, Oliver, and Charlotte. Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and two brothers. The family would like to thank the staff of Decatur Memorial Hospital, Hickory Point Christian Village, Dr. Anthony Collins and Dr. G. Patel for the loving care given to Les during his journey, and to special friend Hugh Rowden. "
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