Lonnie Allen

GLENDIVE, MONTANA: Lonnie Allen, age 54, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive. A Life Tribute Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Lonnie was born on February 27, 1955 in Spokane, Washington the son of Harry and Shirley Allen. Lonnie had lived at Eastmont Human Services in Glendive before moving to the Nolan Group Home in Glendive in 2000. He was an early riser and got up at 6:00 a.m. most mornings. Lonnie was a friendly and mischievous guy who enjoyed interacting with people. He was very social and liked hugs as long as he was the one to initiate them. He was fond of imitating the movements and vocalizations of others. He was a tactile person and liked to manipulate or shake objects (especially things on a string) and he enjoyed shredding paper. Lonnie disliked peas, watermelon and coffee. He was proud of his ability to load the dishwasher, take care of his dirty laundry and make friends. Lonnie was an "outdoors man" and particularly liked camping, swimming, fishing, rafting or just sitting in the sun Lonnie was preceded in death by his father and one brother-in-law. Survivors include his mother, Shirley Allen of Helena, Montana; his brother, Michael and sister, Laura; numerous aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces and nephews. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com Lonnie Allen Life Tribute Service November 24, 2009 Silvernale-Silha Funeral Chapel, Glendive, Montana Welcome: Master of Ceremonies Song: “Old Rugged Cross” Eulogy: Celebrant To all of you here today who desire to honor and pay tribute to Lonnie Allen, the following words written by Helen Keller seem appropriate. She said, “My friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges, and enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow of my deprivation.” We gather today to honor and pay tribute to Lonnie Allen, a client and friend who touched the hearts of all who knew him. We gather to remember the little things that made Lonnie special. We gather to remember the laughter, the challenges, the triumphs. We gather to remember the hugs, the “shakies”, the spitting, the shredding, the smiles Lonnie could give and the smiles Lonnie could generate from those around him. These priceless memories of Lonnie bring smiles to the faces of those who knew him, lived with him, cared for him, and loved him. Lonnie was born over 54 years ago in Spokane, Washington, to Harry and Shirley Allen. The oldest of three children, Lonnie had a brother, Michael, and a sister, Laura. Developmentally disabled, Lonnie came to Glendive in the 1990’s and resided at Eastmont Human Services until 2000 when he moved to the Nolan Group Home. Lonnie required one-on-one assistance. Although Lonnie could not verbalize to communicate, he certainly could vocalize by making frequent sounds and noises. Lonnie would initiate communication by approaching and making sounds or giving hugs. His face was very expressive. When Lonnie was in a good mood, he would make a “quacking” sound, and if he were mad or frustrated, Lonnie would yell. Lonnie liked people to sit and talk to him, and when spoken to directly, Lonnie would maintain eye contact and make sounds back to the individual speaking to him. Lonnie also would communicate by mimicking. If someone clapped their hands or snapped their fingers, Lonnie would clap his hands or snap his fingers in response. Other challenges for Lonnie were poor vision and scoliosis. When Lonnie was bored, he would poke things into his eye and would have to be distracted or redirected to another activity. One of Lonnie’s character traits was that he spit constantly. Lonnie needed to be positioned in such a manner that his spittle would not hit others near him. And Lonnie had busy hands. He enjoyed manipulating plastic shapes or wooden beads on a string or baseball cap. An important part of his daily life were his “shakies”. These “shakies” were a rattle-like object that Lonnie loved to hold in his hand and shake to hear the rattling sounds. If you couldn’t see Lonnie, you could find him by following the noise he made. Lonnie was very social and he needed and enjoyed being with people. He liked roaming around the group home, and interacting with roommates, friends, and staff. Lonnie had the ability to make friends and a way about him that endeared him to those who knew him. He had a very mischievous side to him and he kept the staff on their toes. If he got a hold of paper of any kind, he would shred it. Lonnie loved closets and cabinets. The minute staff would leave the room, Lonnie would make his way to the nearest closet or drawers and start throwing things out. Many things besides his “shakies” were shaken by Lonnie. One incident occurred when Pam Junso was painting some trim at the home. Lonnie managed to get his hands on a paintbrush Pam had inadvertently set down. Lonnie had a great time shaking that paint brush. It did not rattle but the paint splattered everywhere, including on Lonnie. Lonnie was very affectionate and loved to give hugs, but only if he initiated them. Being a man of small stature, barely five feet tall, Lonnie would approach with his squinty-eyed look, and put his head on the chest of the person he was hugging. You could say he was a chest man, with some chests softer than others. There were accomplishments in Lonnie’s life that he could be proud of. Although he needed helped with hygiene tasks, Lonnie could dress and undress himself almost independently, only needing help with his shoes. He was able to load the dishwasher, and he was learning to take care of his dirty laundry. Lonnie could feed himself with the help of an adaptive plate, spoon and cup, and a few reminders. He did not chew his food, so everything he ate had to be cut up into small, M&M size pieces. He did not like mushrooms and would spit them out if they got into his mouth. He also didn’t like peas and watermelon or warm beverages such as coffee. Drinking water didn’t have much appeal; Lonnie preferred milk and juice. And rice, well, he’d flick it everywhere. At the group home, Lonnie was an early riser, up at about 6 am most mornings. Lonnie had a recliner in his room, which he would sit in while listening to music. He also would go down to the living room and watch or listen to the television. This past year, Lonnie purchased a new flat screen TV, which was mounted on the wall of his bedroom, and which he really seemed to enjoy. Lonnie attended a day program at Eastern Montana Industries, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm. Some of his activities included crushing cans and bundling newspapers. Lonnie was a great can crusher! And he got paid for those endeavors. Lonnie was an “outdoors man”. On a nice, sunny day, he liked sitting on the porch swing or in the grass. He had the opportunity to go camping, rafting, and swimming. Lonnie went on several vacations, including one to Yellowstone, he went to the hot springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and also to the rodeo at Cheyenne Days in Wyoming. Lonnie enjoyed community outings, going shopping, and going for walks. He participated in the Special Olympics. Lonnie did bowling, and the track events of kickball and ball throwing. Lonnie just liked being busy and active and especially loved to be around other people. During his time at Eastmont, the group home and the day program, Lonnie was a strong presence. Those that came to know him, those that cared for him, found him to be irresistible. Lonnie will be remembered as their “little man”, a “world traveler” who was affectionate, fun, and mischievous. Lonnie was very much loved and he will be greatly missed. As we listen to the song “Amazing Grace”, let us hold Ronnie in our thoughts and in our hearts. Song: “Amazing Grace” Speaker: Cindy Deckert Closing: Celebrant It is an important day when we stop to bear witness to a person’s life and times among us, the difference his living and dying made among family and friends and to take time to express our grief, our hope, our wonder, and our memories. Thank you for being here for this important time. Every life is important and has meaning, and every person has a story. Just as all of you have been a part of Lonnie Allen’s story, he also, has been a part of your story. “To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.” If you had a chance to view the photos here at the front, you can see the many faces of Lonnie, and some of the people in his life. The photo boards were put together by caring staff of the group home and EMI. The caricature was done of Lonnie when he was at Cheyenne Days in Wyoming. The large photo was used on the memory folder. It was taken while Lonnie was at Eastmont and has been hanging on the group home living room wall. The afghan was made for Lonnie by loving hands. The bouquet of flowers for Lonnie had only one requirement…that it be glorious! 50 various colored balloons await to be released to the heavens by each of you after we exit the building. These balloons will carry your loving thoughts with Lonnie as he begins a new journey. What a wonderful tribute you have given Lonnie Allen today. As you wear Lonnie’s touch on your hearts, as Lonnie takes with him, your touch on his heart, please hear these words written by Spencer M. Free… “Tis the human touch in the world that counts – the touch of your hand and mine- Which means far more to the sinking heart than shelter or bread or wine. For shelter is gone when the night is o’er, And bread lasts only a day, But the touch of the a hand and the sound of the voice Live on in the soul always.” We will conclude Lonnie Allen’s life tribute service outdoors with a few words and the balloon release. Celebrant: As we say good-bye to Lonnie Allen, we are grateful for having known him; thankful for the touch he has left on our hearts and souls. Lonnie was a unique personality, fun and loving. He was loved; he will be missed; he will be remembered and he will continue to bring smiles to our faces. “Sing me a song, A canticle of life. For I am leaving land And taking space to wife. Into the rising wind I’ll shout the ecstacy, Echoes will answer back, I am where I wished to be. (Winifred R. Lewis) Please raise your balloons. Song: “I Can See Clearly Now” (Balloon release) Soar high and free, Lonnie Allen.

Lonnie Allen

February 27, 1955 - November 24, 2009

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Lonnie Allen

February 27, 1955 - November 24, 2009

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support