Charles ‘Charlie’ Joseph Allen, 94

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Allen passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 12, 2018, with his loving wife and daughter present. Charlie was born in Spokane, Wash. on Jan. 15, 1923, to parents Simon Allen and Florence Allen. He grew up on his family’s property in Spokane where Spokane Community College now resides.

He attended school at John R. Rogers High School, where his primary focus was woodworking. He then spent some years hauling freight to Farragut State Park until he entered the military in May, 1949, where he served two hitches as a cook in the Army until 1952.

After leaving the Army he started his career as a door to door salesman for Home Builders in Spokane, selling roofing and siding. In the mid 1960s Charlie moved from Spokane to Hayden Lake, Idaho, and met his wife, Gloria in 1972. In May 1978, their daughter, Lisa was born.

Charlie retired in 1975 and then kept himself busy in retirement raising 1.5 acres of vegetable garden in Dalton Gardens, Idaho. In 1992 the family sold the lake property and moved to a house he built on the same property in Dalton Gardens that he raised the garden in. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, playing pinochle, hosting garage sales and cooking.

In his younger years, Charlie enjoyed spending time with family and friends at his lake house and out on his boat, riding his homemade surf boards, fishing, and many years of travel. Las Vegas was a favorite destination. Charlie showed his courage and strength when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2016, which eventually took his life. Near the end, he was lovingly cared for by the Hospice of North Idaho, and his wife and daughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Florence Allen; brothers, Robert “Bob” Allen and George Allen; sisters, Rhoda Nelson, Minnie Little, Mary Cola, Josephine Allen, Genevieve Arneson and Lily Gregory. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Schrock, and daughter, Lisa Nelson, both of Dalton Gardens; niece, Charlotte Frost of Turlock, Calif.; nephew, Joe Little and wife, Merium of Lincoln City, Ore.; Charlie Cola of Spokane; Tom Gregory and wife, Debra of Denver, Colo.; Michael Gregory and wife, Nancy of Spokane; Steve Allen and wife, Patty of Spokane and numerous great-nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, with a Military Graveside Service following at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane, WA 99208.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho or charity of your choice. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.