Allem Mechem

Allen Mechem, 94, long time Clarion resident, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021, at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona.

Following a private graveside service, please join the family as we honor and celebrate Allen’s life on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Red Shed Event Center in Clarion.

Allen Lewis Mechem was born in Clarion on December 16, 1926, to Lewis and Vernice (Allen) Mechem. He was the oldest of eight children.

He attended country school until the sixth grade, when his family moved to town. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 during his senior year of high school, at the age of 17. He was discharged in 1946, at the age of 19, returned home and finished high school with the class of 1947. After signing up for the reserves, he was called back in the Korean War in 1949 and discharged in 1952.

He was united in marriage to Peggy Latch on June 26, 1947 at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. To this union two children were born; Robert “Bob” and Diana. Al and Peg enjoyed over 50 years together, until her passing in 1998.

Allen worked as a parts man for the International dealership in Clarion before starting in the insurance business. He loved his job and retired in 1993 after 36 years as a State Farm Insurance agent.

Golf was his favorite pastime, both at Clarmond Country Club and later on his “home” course in Mesa, where in 2018 he won the club championship. He also enjoyed playing cards, games, and dancing at the Legion. He spent 28 winters in Arizona after retiring, and loved all of the activities and the friends he made along the way.

He was a member of several organizations both in Clarion and Mesa and was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church.

Allen is survived by his children, Bob (Marcia) Mechem of Ft. Myers, FL and Diana (Todd) Christians of Kanawha, IA; four grandchildren, Brooke (Tim) Faber, Jessie (Tyler) Rehwoldt, Taylor Christians, Joshua (Brookelyn) Christians; five great-grandchildren, Braden, Logan, & Weston Faber, and Brianna & Noah Rehwoldt; siblings John (Jan) Mechem, Meri Carlson, Marge (Bruce) Stofferan, Paul Mechem, Ruth (Miles) Bair; sisters-in-law Marilyn Mechem, Delores Mechem, and Barb Nail, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and special friend Esther Kirchner and her family of River Falls, WI.

He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his parents, and brothers David and George (Geody).

Click here to visit Ewing Funeral Home