Bruce Wayne Allen, 81, of Ottumwa died at 9:50 a.m. July 14, 2026 at Good Samaritan Society-Ottumwa.
He was born December 10, 1944 in Ottumwa to Elmer Ellsworth and Verla Lucinda Prosser Allen. He married Marilyn Louise Pierce on June 25, 1966.
A resident of Ottumwa all his life, Bruce was a 1963 graduate of Ottumwa High School and earned a master’s degree in psychology from Drake University. He served on the Ottumwa Police Department for 20 years, attaining the rank of captain. He went on to work in vocational rehabilitation and drove a school bus for Ottumwa Schools for 20 years, retiring in 2020.
Bruce was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan and played semi-pro football for the Wapello Chiefs. He enjoyed old westerns, working outdoors and loved spending time with his family.
Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Marilyn; a son, Bruce Allen of Rock Hill, SC; a daughter, Deanna (Michael) Bower of Ottumwa; 4 grandchildren, Brea Weller, Kiah (Levi) Locke, Brittnee Bower and Miranda Bower; 2 great grandchildren, Daxton and Walker; a brother, Bill Allen of Kirkville; and a sister, Carol (Mike) Annis of Davenport.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Melissa Anne; a stepsister, Geraldine Scitz Close; a sister-in-law, Patty Allen.
Visitation will be open at 12 p.m. Friday, July 17th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Cremation will follow the visitation.
Memorials may be made to Heartland Humane Society or Alzheimer’s Association.
