Donald Eugene Allen, age 75, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at his home.

      He was born on October 10, 1950, in Effingham, to Alvin Leonard and Pauline Ethel (Thompson) Allen.  On June 12, 1971, he married Bonnie Sue Payne at Oak Mound Christian Church, and together they have celebrated 54 years of marriage.

      Don was a 1968 graduate of North Clay High School and went on to attend Wabash Valley College, earning a degree in Agricultural Business Management in 1970.

      He had previously been employed at Sparton Manufacturing and Corno Feed Products in Flora.  He retired as the manager of Clay County Grain Company in Iola after working there for 29 years.  

      Over the years, Don raised dairy cows and sold firewood, and later raised beef cattle alongside his sons.  He also enjoyed deer and bird hunting.  His special interest in raising quail led him to start a small quail operation of his own, often tending to hundreds at a time.  He was a past elder of Oak Mound Church and a member of Red Brush Christian Church, and had also been a member of the Flora Elks.

      He is survived by his family, all of Songer Township, Xenia, including his wife: Bonnie Allen; three children: Matthew Ryan Allen, Aaron Allen, and Rebecca Allen-Odle and husband Seth; two grandchildren: Sara Beth Odle and Paul Allen Odle; a brother: Darrell Allen and wife Janet; and several nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in passing by his parents; a daughter: Sara Beth Allen; and two nephews: DeWayne Allen and John Allen Kemper II.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow at Oak Mound Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

      Memorial donations are suggested the donor’s choice of an education fund for the benefit of his grandchildren, the Songer Township cemetery fund, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and any of these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com