Allen Courtney

ALLEN L. COURTNEY

Allen L. Courtney, age 80, of Kahoka, MO, died peacefully Monday, February 6, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family.

Allen was born September 1, 1931, at Revere, MO, a son of Russell F. and Marie Barker Courtney.

On June 21, 1953, he was united in marriage to Virgie Allene Young.

Survivors include his wife, Virgie, of Kahoka, MO; one son, Kris Courtney and his wife, Angie, of Kahoka, MO; two daughters, Debbie Farrell of Franklin, IA and Dena Shaull and her husband, Chuck, of Iowa City, IA; three grandchildren, Tim Farrell of Fort Madison, IA Brooke Livingstone and her husband, Ryan, of Waterloo, IA, and Cole Courtney of Kahoka, MO; three step-grandchildren, Corey, Zach and Emily McCutcheon all of Kahoka, MO; a brother, Donald Courtney and his wife, JoAn, of St. Charles, MO; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Keith and Elsie Young of Williamsburg, IA and Gale Walker of Revere, MO; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Mark Courtney.

Allen graduated from Kahoka High School in 1949. He farmed with his dad and for 7 years worked on construction of Lock and Dam # 19 at Keokuk. He was in the Army Reserves for 8 years, spending a portion of that time in Cuba prior to Castro. For thirty-two years Allen was Probate Magistrate Court Clerk.

A true woodsman and outdoorsman, Allen could identify plants for herbal, nutritional and even survival purposes. He knew all about the trees, loved to observe eagles and song birds, raised bantam chickens and guineas at one time, and would care for orphaned quail and other wildlife farmers might find in their fields until they were able to be released into the wild. He was one of the first bow-hunters in Clark County, before it even became popular and held the record in 1966-68 for the largest buck in the State of Missouri before they did documentation, and also for a non-typical buck. Because of his hunting accomplishments, Allen was recognized as a Master Hunter in the State of Missouri. He was an avid fisherman who knew the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers like the back of his hand. He was consulted many times as to currents and other information relating to both rivers. He donated fish used for benefits in Clark County as well as providing fish to family and friends. He enjoyed collecting rocks and polishing and designing them into jewelry.

Allen was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wayland. He was a former Scoutmaster and Little League Baseball Coach. He loved baseball and football and was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and Missouri Tigers fan.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Dan Deatrick officiating. Burial will follow in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka after noon on Wednesday. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Clark Co. Local Cancer Fund or to the family to be used for local park preservation.