Allen F. Blout

Allen Blout, age 88, of Ellisville, Illinois, passed away September 30, 2022, in his home. Born August 1, 1934, Graham Hospital in Canton, Illinois to Floyd and Lavona (Fickle) Blout. Allen married Clarice Leininger August 7, 1955, in Pekin, Illinois. Allen is survived by his sister Mary Jo (Lee) Hammond of Elmwood, IL; brother Armin (Janice) Blout of Prairie City, IL; sons Dale (Kim) Blout of London, KY, and Darrell Blout, of Smithfield, IL; daughters Sheila Blout of Ellisville, IL; Kathi (Chris) Harmon of Canton IL, and Rita (Joe) Casey of Jenks, OK; eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one niece, three nephews, three great-nieces, six great-nephews, two great-great nieces, one great-great-nephew, and two on their way. Preceding him in death are his parents, Floyd and Lavona (Fickle) Blout, and a baby who was miscarried. Family meant the world to Allen second, only to his Savior.

Allen graduated from Valley High School in 1952 after which he began farming full-time, which was his passion the rest of his life. He served in the Army for two years where, in part, he was an air observer (photographer) for a missile command unit from the belly of the helicopter. Prior to being discharge, he was offered classes in Diesel Mechanics if he re-enlisted, but his preference was to return to the farm. He enjoyed working the fields alongside is wife, Clarice. Allen always made sure Clarice had the tractor with the umbrella then the tractor with the cab, so she was in the shade and later A/C. Allen and Clarice were true partners in life.
Allen served as a Spoon River Electric Cooperative Board member 1978-1987 and a Spoon River Valley School Board member 1986-1994. As a school Board member, he presented their youngest son, Darrell, with his diploma. He was the Song Leader at his church for several years and a 4-H leader. He is an alum of 4-H and FFA. He coached their children on how to select their livestock projects, bathe, and show their livestock. He was an active and early member of the Farm Bureau. Allen enjoyed riding his horse, Eartha, bought from Hank Trone, to move their cattle and leisurely ride with his family. He was a good steward of their 175 years old family farm.
Every Easter was special for Allen as he always sang "Were You There" during the resurrection service.
After years of wanting to compete, Allen enjoyed competing in his first tractor pull two days before his 70th birthday. He entered and enjoyed several competitions for a few years afterwards.
Services will be 2 pm, Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Fiatt Independent Christian Church, where visitation will be from 5-7pm, Thursday, October 6, 2022. Burial will follow in Wiley Cemetery in rural Ellisville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fiatt Independent Christian Church, Historic Ellisville Restoration Organization (H.E.R.O.) External Lift Project Fund via the Galesburg Community Foundation, or Spoon River Valley FFA. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton are in charge of arrangements. To leave on line condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com