Duane D. Allen

Duane Dee Allen, 68, of Anderson Township OH, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the care of Hospice of Southwest OH on March 21, 2025. He was born on April 3, 1956 in Dayton Ohio and was quickly shuttled to Livingston, Kentucky to live with his extended family for some time. There his vocabulary grew to include such phrases as "yawnna chaw backer?" (would you like some chewing tobacco?), "Goone giit!" (Please leave quickly) and "ain't nary a varmint over thar, them woods over yonder is hainted" (There are no small animals in the woods over there as they are likely haunted.) His diet consisted of mainly soup beans and corn bread but his intense love of the area began and continued to grow throughout his entire life. At the age of 8, he was proud to say he became a Christian.

Duane graduated from Northridge High School in Dayton, Ohio in 1974 and Eastern Kentucky University in 1978. The later is noteworthy as he worked at his father's grocery store, located in Rockcastle county, Kentucky in order to afford his schooling. As a testament to his love for his home, he founded the Rockcastle Historical Society, a group that exists to this day. Upon graduation, his diet grew to include steaks, thanks to a job as manager at Ponderosa steak house, and ice cream thanks to his long time job working for Dairy Queen. In spite of this, he would rather fight a rabid mountain lion than eat a pickle or an onion. Go figure. During his time at Dairy Queen he found time to have 2 sons, Jerad Allen and Jeffrey Allen, neither of whose apples fell far from the tree. He also met the love of his life, Ann Marie Knoll and had 2 more children, Emaline Rider and Erik Allen. Throughout life he held many jobs but ended at his favorite, as an agent at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ensuring the safety of airport passengers. Statistics are sketchy but he is rumored to have patted down, scrambled the luggage, and frustrated some 500,000 people in his time - several of whom prominent entertainers and athletes.

Although Duane left us too early, he did live a life full of love, faith, and family. He is preceded in death by his father Elbert Allen, mother Eva Mae Smith, sister Shirley Woodgeard, sister Beverly Lytle, and sister Ann Beal. He is survived by his wife Ann Marie Allen, son Jerad Allen, son Jeffrey Allen(Jessica), daughter Emaline Rider (Harley), son Erik Allen, sister Carol O'Dell(Gary), brother Tony Smith, brother Jay Allen, and grandchildren Shelby Allen, Ivan Allen, Ruby Allen, Emma Allen, Draco Allen, and Vivian Rider. As a veteran and accomplished genealogist, there are literal tomes of Duane's family members not mentioned but were always on his mind.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 29, at Freedom City Church, 6137 Salem Rd, Cincinnati OH 45230, at 12:30pm. Friends may visit the family at the Church from 11-12:30 with Yeatman Masonic Lodge #162 F&AM Service on Sat. starting at 12:15 PM.

An additional visitation will be held Sunday March 30, at Red Hill Church, Livingston KY from 2pm-3pm with service and burial to follow.

Donations to Hospice of Southwest Ohio (HERE).