Gerald L. Allen , age 88, of Lost Creek apartments Marquette and most recently of Teal Lake assisted living , Negaunee passed away March 3rd, 2016 at UPHS-Marquette in the company of his loving family.

Gerald was born August 16, 1927 in Ontonagon, MI to Carl and Moselle(Colclasure) Allen . He graduated from the Ontonagon High School in 1946 and went to work at the local paper mill until he was drafted during the Korean conflict. He served in the Army , stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Gerald then had a long career at the White Pine Copper mine, working over 30 years in the business and payroll areas until the mine closed. He then worked several years at the Ontonagon shipyard. He retired to Cocoa Beach FL and spent nearly 30 years enjoying the sunshine and the ocean, relocating back to the Upper Peninsula 4 years ago to be near family.

In his younger years, he enjoyed snowmobiling and boating and going to his cottage at Lake Gogebic. He was a devoted son, providing companionship and care to his widowed Mother until her death. Gerald was a wonderful man, quiet but friendly, who was known to many just as "Uncle Gerald". He was a special brother and uncle, always there for his family. His nieces and nephews will never forget him, and with no disrespect to their Fathers, considered him a more fun version of a Dad. He was always up to take them to a parade, where he enjoyed following the local drum and bugle corps, and to any junky souvenir store or tourist trap they asked to stop at.

After moving to Marquette, Gerald enjoyed eating at Vango's restaurant where he was a regular, and going for drives along Lake Superior, often stopping at Lower Harbor or Picnic Rocks to watch the Lake and enjoy an afternoon nap. He was happy moving to Teal Lake assisted living and had looked forward to watching that Lake also.

He is survived by his beloved sister Marjorie Khoury of Iron Mountain and nieces and nephews, Dennis, Sally, Linda, and Patrick Allen; Daniel, Joan, Kathy, and Jane Khoury; and Candy Miller, Janet , and John Cane. Also surviving are many great and great-great nieces and nephews and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Merle Allen, sister Doris Cane, nephews Gary Allen, and Michael and Allen Cane.

Funeral services will be held at the Cane Funeral Home, Ontonagon MI on Saturday March 5, 2016, with visitation at 2pm and service at 3pm. He will be laid to rest in the spring near his parents at the Riverside Cemetery.