Darlene Allen

ST. JOSEPH - Darlene Marie Allen, 82, passed away at 2:22 p.m. Friday (June 13, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. She was surrounded by her loving family, brothers, sister, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends throughout the weeks prior. As she passed, her family sang her favorite songs and hymns.

Darlene was born on Sept. 7, 1942, to Wilfred and Junetta (Martha) Kappes. She married the love of her life, Larry J. Allen, on July 9, 1965, in Rantoul. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2000.

Darlene is survived by her son Brad (Tonya); granddaughters Karli Allen and Madeline Allen; son David (Susan) and grandson Logan Allen; and daughter Lynn Pappalardo (Dino), grandson Nick Goryance (Jessica), granddaughter Halle Pappalardo, great-grandsons, Nick Jr. and Joey Goryance, and great-granddaughter, Adeline. She is also survived by her brother Bob Kappes, brother David Kappes and sister, Linda Schiaretti. She attended Holy Cross grade school and graduated from Champaign High School in 1960, where she sang in the choir and competed in numerous singing competitions. Throughout all her contests, she received superior in every event except one, where she received an excellent. Darlene was a fixture in the St. Joseph United Methodist Church choir for decades and was requested on numerous occasions to sing at wedding celebrations. Her love for music resonates throughout the family. She reached a level of singing where she was presented with the opportunity to sing opera at the professional level in New York City.

Darlene was a dental assistant in St. Joseph for 25 years, until Larry got sick.

Throughout her life, she was known as a very kind and loving woman with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind smile. Her joys in life were her family and friends. Everyone who met her thought "their" Darlene was their special person. She made everyone feel as if she had a special relationship with only them.

Her passion for being a grandmother superseded anything else in her life. She was each of her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's biggest fan. She was known for her outstanding chicken and noodles.

Services and a celebration of life for Darlene Allen will be held at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 17, at noon. The family will receive visitors at the church between 10 a.m. and noon. Please feel free to wear Darlene's favorite color, purple, or St. Louis Cardinals red to celebrate her life. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist Church. Condolences may be made at freesefh.com.