Melvin Allen

Melvin R. Allen, age 74, of Meadville, PA went to meet His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 13, 2021 after a brief illness.  He was born on February 12, 1947 in Greenville, PA to the late Rodney and Alice (Sutley) Allen.  He married Lynn (Holly) Polliard on July 10, 1971.  She survives.

Melvin enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1967 and worked as a diesel-powered electrical generator operator for eight years while stationed in Texas, Germany, Greece, New York, Alaska, Arizona and Thailand.  After the military he purchased a set of blueprints and built solitarily a sturdy, lovely home for his growing family. Melvin worked at Saeger Carbide in Saegertown, PA for approximately 16 years.  In a career change, he started a small painting and construction business, driving school bus for Clair J. Ferry on the side.  In his retirement he continued to help friends and family with their construction and repair needs right up to the very end. He gave so much, sacrificially, to keep us happy and content.

Melvin is a Christian and member of First Baptist Church of Meadville. One Christmas eve while stationed in Greece, he was marvelously saved. From then on Jesus has been uppermost in his thoughts and goals. Together with Holly they had ups and downs but were partners together in the grace of life-- slowly growing and learning to live more like Jesus as they parented their tribe.  Meditative and unassuming, he communed with God, waiting patiently on Him, intent on letting Jesus guide and heal in his life. He loved God’s creation. From his youth on, he loved watching the birds and animals, wildlife, and nature. He loved finding and showing others the rocks that may have been tools of the Native Americans who lived here before us.  He is greatly loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, he is survived by his four children, Benjamin Allen and his wife, Alissa of Salem, WV, Suzannah Mattocks and her husband, Steve of Meadville, PA, Stephanie Grubb and her husband, Ken of Greenville, PA and Daniel Allen and his wife, Jennifer of Sandy Lake, PA; 15 grandchildren, Caitrin, Isaac, Joyanna and Ruthie Allen, Steven, Caleb, Hannah and Joshua Mattocks, Nathan, Rachel, Aliza, Jeremiah, Micah, Yosef and Yishai Grubb and one sister, Karen Allen of Minneapolis, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Jennifer Lynn, and her twin brother, Jesse, who passed away on 3/9/2012 and his brother, Kenneth Allen.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday November 20, 2021 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 353 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335 with Pastor Jerry Walton officiating.  Melvin will be laid to rest next to his son Jesse.

Please sign Melvin’s online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home, 614 Baldwin St., Meadville, PA 16335.