Dr. Connie Allen, 76, of Springfield

Connie's funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2015 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Burial will be held at a later date in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield.

Connie I. Allen, daughter of Lyle and Lillie (May) Irish, was born in Springfield, SD on July 4, 1939. She died unexpectedly at St. Thomas Hospital in London Borough of Lambeth, England on Sunday, August 9, 2015. Connie attained the age of 76 years.

Connie graduated from Springfield High School in 1957 and later graduated from Southern State Teachers College. She received her MA degree from the University of South Dakota and her PHD at Indiana University.

Connie married Lloyd James "Jim" Allen on December 22, 1958 at the Congregational Church in Springfield (now the U.C.C). A son, Eric was blessed to their union. Jim died August 7, 1997.

Connie and Jim both taught at Mission, SD, Butte, NE, and after more college education, they taught at Vacaville, CA, Guam, and Baranquilla, Colombia. They then moved to Lebanon, IN, and while there, taught and alternated taking advanced work at the University of Indiana in Bloomington. In 1975, they moved to Dover, DE, where Connie served as the State Supervisor of Special Education until 1981, then moving to Bowling Green, KY. Here, Dr. Connie served as the principal at Jones-Jaegers University School until she became the first school principal at the William H. Natcher Elementary School. She served in Warren County Public Schools, for 24 years. She retired after 45 years of service in the education field and moved to Springfield, SD in 2004.

Wherever Connie lived, she was active in many organizations and received numerous awards. While living in Kentucky, she was named the National Distinguished Principal in 1994; Outstanding Kentuckian in 1993 and was a Kentucky Colonel. She also received the Bowling Green Womens' Club award and was active member of the Warren County SKYPAC Board. After moving back to Springfield, she was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the United Church of Christ and chaired various committees. Connie was currently the chairwoman and driving force of the Springfield Veterans Memorial Committee.

Thankful for having shared her life are her son, Eric James and wife Sue Ann Allen of White House, TN; brother, Don Irish of Springfield; sister-in-law, Sylvia Allen of LaCrescent, MN; and seven nieces and nephews: Margaret (Detlef) Frey, Catherine Allen, Lloyd (Michelle) Allen, Martin (Mellissa) Allen, James (Tammy) Dean, Jennifer (Nick) Johnson and Josh Irish; and special companion, Dennis Skailand of Springfield.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband Jim, parents and brother-in-law, John Allen.

Pallbearers are Lloyd Allen, Martin Allen, Josh Irish, Greg Walpole, Stan Turner and James Dean.