Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Verlin Marshall Allen, 91, passed away peacefully while indulging in an afternoon nap at his home in Jacksonville, OR, on November 24, 2014 from causes incident to old age. Earlier that day he had entertained his daughter and his great-granddaughter who had stopped by for a short visit with the promise of returning later in the day. His manner of passing is considered a tender mercy of the Lord by all those surviving him. He had longed for his beloved wife Verna and was impatiently waiting to be reunited with her.

Verlin was born in Firth, Idaho to Charles Marshall and Ada Johnson Allen on November 4th, 1923, the second of five children. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Driggs, Idaho where he, along with his brother and sisters, was raised under the splendor of the Grand Tetons and surrounded by the rugged beauty of “the valley”. While a student at Teton High School, he was very involved in Glee Club where he played the clarinet and the alto sax and held the position of Drum Major in his high school marching band. He was also a member of a dance band for four years performing in towns ranging from Pocatello, Idaho to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After graduation from high school Verlin pursued a pharmacy degree at Idaho State University. He was part of the first post Second World War graduating class, completing his degree in three years.

Verlin and his childhood sweetheart, Verna Little, were married on May 27th, 1946 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They made their first home in Magna, Utah where he began his career as a full-time pharmacist. In 1947 Verlin moved his wife and 6 month old baby, Craig, to Malad, Idaho to work for R.V. Daniels in his drugstore there. He eventually bought the business with his younger brother and business partner, Ken, renaming it Allen Drug. The brothers remained partners until they retired and expanded their business into stores in different towns. Verlin and Verna worked side by side in their store in the center of Malad for 56 years. Verlin was known for his cheery disposition, friendly demeanor, wonderful chuckle and his willingness to lighten burdens large or seemingly insignificant. He truly loved people as was evident in the kindness and respect he showed everyone he met at the store, the church or around town. Regardless of the time of the phone call; day, night, Sundays or even Christmas morning, Verlin was always willing to open the drugstore to help the person in need. Whether someone needed medicine, supplies for a sick cow, film for a family gathering, batteries for a camera, a last minute present like a box of Russell Stover chocolates, Verlin’s response was “Meet me down at the store in ten minutes.”

As Verna’s health declined and in order to be nearer to members of their family, Verlin and Verna retired to Medford, Oregon in 2005. Although he lived near those he loved, he never stopped missing Malad, the good people that live there and the simple walk from his home to the drugstore.

Verlin was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities, including as a stake missionary, ward clerk, and member of the 2nd Ward bishopric. He and Verna served a fulfilling and enjoyable 12 month mission for the church in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission. They also served in the Logan, Utah and Medford, Oregon temples.

Verlin’s greatest joy in life was being with his family. He preferred spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids over anything else. Regardless of the demands of being the town pharmacist, he would always find a way to attend his children’s sports events, music competitions, and church activities, usually with a movie camera or tape recorder in hand.

Verlin is survived by his children, Craig M. (Lynette) Allen, St. George UT; Kathleen (Brooks) Green, Conway, AR; Connie (Kelly) Kent, Salem, OR; Kirsten (Kelly) Thompson, Medford, OR; Kelly V.(Gina) Allen, Snohomish, WA; twenty-three grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren, his brother Ken and his sisters Georgia Rae and Valene. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart Verna, his parents Charles and Ada, his older sister Bernice, his grandson Andrew, and his great-granddaughter Daisy.

We, the Allen family, wish to extend our sincerest love and appreciation to Ranae (Spahr) Hill and Sue Baker who loved and took care of Dad as if he was their own father. To the staff of Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, our heartfelt thanks for their loving and watchful care. He and our mother were truly cherished by all while living there.

Funeral services will be held at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W 300 N Malad, ID on Friday, December 5th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit with the family at a public viewing that morning from 9:30. – 10:45 (prior to the service). Interment will be at 3:30 pm at the Cache/Clawson Cemetery in Tetonia, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.