Roberta Allen

Roberta Dodge Allen was born May 4, 1948 in Mineola, New York to parents Arthur J. Allen and Edith Anne (Robinson) Allen. She was the oldest of four children and grew up in Port Washington, Long Island, New York. She graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School in 1966. She received a degree in Education from the State University of New York in Plattsburgh in 1970. Roberta then spent a year as a U. S. VISTA volunteer (Volunteers in Service to America) in a school in Philadelphia. She then pursued her Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and while there began participating in leadership activities with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. She served on staff with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship from 1973-1985 serving both in California and Madison. She specialized particularly in media production. Perhaps it was her work with IV at the triennial Urbana Missions Conferences that attracted her to central Illinois. However she got here, we are glad she took a job as a reference librarian at the Danville Public Library that eventually brought her into our lives here in East Central Illinois. She became the Director of Reference and Archives at the Danville Public Library and worked there for 29 years until her retirement in 2017.

She had great interest in history and was active in historical and genealogy organizations. She volunteered at the War Museum in Danville and was recently appointed by the mayor of Danville to serve on the Danville Historical Commission. She was an active member and regional leader of the American Volkssport Association, and led many walks in the Danville area as well as all over the U. S. She was also a member of Kiwanis.

Almost simultaneous to her move to Danville, she joined Bethel Lutheran Church. Her former Lutheran pastor there, now an Orthodox priest says, “as a member of Bethel, she was quite active in Bible study, several community volunteer services that the parish provided, and was always available for clean-up days, bazaars, etc.”

As her pastor became more and more interested in the Eastern Orthodox faith, he shared his faith journey with his congregation and Roberta heard the Lord calling her in that direction as well. After completing a commitment to serve on her parish leadership team, she asked to be received into the Orthodox Church. She was received by chrismation in 2000 and has been a joyful and dedicated member of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Urbana, ever since.

She is survived by sister Janet Muncy (Jim) from Castle Hayne, NC, brother Dalton Allen (Lisa) from Redmond, WA and is predeceased by sister Heather Allen Chapman (Michael) from Christchurch, New Zealand. She is also survived by seven nieces, two nephews, eight grand-nieces and two grand-nephews.

Visitation and funeral services will be at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 1807 N Federal, Urbana, Sunday September 29 Public Visitation 5:00-7:00pm Trisagion for the Departed 7:00pm

Vigil reading of the Psalter to follow.

Monday September 30, Public Visitation 9:30am, Funeral for a layperson 10:00am

Light luncheon at the church to follow with shared memories.

Graveside prayers and blessing of the grave approx. 1:00pm

Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 3901 N Vermillion, Danville, IL. 61832

Arrangements have been made at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL. 61820

Please join her family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com