Jerry E. Allen, 80, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the MHP Emergency Room in Oskaloosa. He was born July 10, 1942, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Burl and Irene Barger Allen. He graduated from Ottumwa High School with the class of 1960 and attended one year of college. In 1962, he was united in marriage to Sandra Gesualdo. To this union two children were born, Tony and Annette. Jerry and Sandra later divorced. In October of 1963, Jerry entered the United States Air Force. He served in the motor pool in South Dakota and Texas. He was honorably discharged in October of 1967. He returned to Iowa and took a job driving a truck for the Frito-Lay Chip company for a short time. He then owned and operated an Amoco Station in Ottumwa for a few years. He worked as a painter with his father-in-law Frank Gesualdo. Last he drove a bread truck for Sunbeam Bakery, retiring from there in the late 1990’s. After a short stint of retirement, Jerry grew restless and felt he had more to give the working world. He took a job as the property manager at the Mahaska County YMCA. He fostered many great friendships and enjoyed his time at the YMCA. He retired from there in 2010. On March 18, 1988, Jerry was united in marriage to Joyce (McKay) Deucore, in Barnes City, Iowa. Jerry welcomed Joyce’s children Brandi and Garrett into his life with open arms. He felt strongly about family connections. He stayed close to his sisters throughout adulthood, and always looked forward to get togethers with as much family as possible. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. In 2004, he was baptized and became a member of the What Cheer Christian Church. He had a lifelong love for cars, buying, restoring, and selling cars was one of his favorite past times. Jerry was especially proud of the 1968 Camaro that he and his son Tony restored. He also enjoyed attending car shows, fishing, camping, and boating. He always looked forward to attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events. He and Joyce shared 42 years of health, love, and laughter, making many memories along the way.
His family includes his wife, Joyce Allen of Oskaloosa; four children, Tony (Vicki Dube) Allen of St. Louis, Missouri, Brandi Maschmann of Montezuma, Annette (Brent) Thompson of Bloomfield; and Garrett (Heather) Deucore of Barnes City; eleven grandchildren, Trent, Brooke, Jake, Katie, Ryan, Olyvia, Emma, Clayton, Brett, Zoe, and Wyatt; four great grandchildren, Mazzie, Emma Rae, Gabriel, and Celeste.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeremy Allen; two sisters; Barb Went and his twin sister, Judy Brooks.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Pastor Mark Griepentrog officiating. Graveside Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin Wednesday after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to 10-15 Public Transit.
