Gary Bruce Allen
June 14, 1949 ~ June 1, 2022
Gary B. Allen
Gary Bruce Allen of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away peacefully, June 1, 2022. Born June 14, 1949 to Ellis C. and Margaret (Birdine) Allen, brothers Dale C. Allen (Kathy); Neal K. Allen (Sandy); Howard L. Allen and sisters Kay D. Swift (Henry) and Janet S. Herra (Jack) in Elburn, Illinois. Gary grew up on the farm Allen’s Hatchery. Married to Gail S. (Susie) Switzer Allen November 12, 1977 in Flossmoor, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife Gail S. (Susie) Allen of 44 years and their three children: son Brendan E. Allen of Greenwood, Indiana; daughter Jennifer S. Allen (Link Pirois) of Indianapolis, Indiana; and son Michael D. Allen of Greenwood, Indiana; Sister-in-law Barbara J. Stockton (Brian) and brother-in-law Kurt E. Switzer (Cheri) and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Gary graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science & Chemistry degree in 1972 and Masters of Science degree in 1973. Gary started his career with Inolex Pharmaceutical in University Park, Illinois where he met his wife Gail. They moved to Indianapolis in 1981 where he retired from Eli Lilly as a Bio Chemist with over 35 years of service.
Gary’s passions were spending time with his family and friends, working in the garden and yard, planting vegetables for his wife to enjoy, never eating one himself. He enjoyed bowling, playing softball and volleyball, playing with his many dogs and “grand” puppies, doing the daily crossword puzzle and a competitive game of scrabble with the family.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Ellis C. and Margaret (Birdine) Allen, brothers Dale C. Allen and Howard L. Allen, Sister-in-law Kathy Allen, Brother-in-laws Henry Swift and Jack Herra and his paternal and fraternal grandparents.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with funeral services on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, 6107 S. East St., Indianapolis, IN 46227. In lieu of flowers please make donations to American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or by mailing donation to American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 payable to: American Diabetes Association or to Franciscan Hospice House, 8414 Franciscan Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46237.
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I remember meeting Gary when I first started at Lilly where we worked together in the pilot plant. He was very helpful in explaining how things work in the plant, what my responsibilities were, etc. I was soon ‘adopted’ into the lunch crowd that went out to lunch. I have good memories of Gary and I wish the same to his family!
Gary and Gail were my first next door neighbors. Jennifer was the first wonderful babysitter for my kids. Gary helped us clear our yard after the many windstorms that came through, then finally the tornado. He made grapevine wreaths for our church. This is a great family, and I share my deep sympathy with you.
Jen, you will forever be daddy’s little girl.
When Peggy and I stopped by to see yours and Gail’s house the 2 of you were so nice, showing us your beautiful garden around your well kept house . Thanks for all the seeds of your prized plants. We’re very sorry to hear about Gary’s passing and prayers and thoughts are with you.
I worked with Gary for many years at Eli Lilly. At first I thought wow, he kind of mean and grumpy. But after being there for awhile we a very trusting relationship concerning the processes I worked with him on. He taught me so much when I was in the pilot plant. We went on to have a very good time from building to building. I have good memories and he will be missed.
With deep sorrow in our hearts we send condolences and much love. Don and Laura and Aunt Jean and Ralph
This is so hard to do. Gail and I have known each other since we were 13 or 14, so I met Gary soon after Gail started dating him. So, we double-dated a lot, tent camped together, celebrated NYE together, played cards and games together, canoed and swam. Lovely times and the four of us were so close. When they moved to Indiana and we eventually moved away, we could drop in on them with a moment’s notice, and also they welcomed us with open arms for a weekend visit. Gary had such a wonderful sense of humor and the two of us could always tease each other and make each other laugh. He also had such a warm and generous heart. Gail has photos of Gary’s kids, when they were babies, sleeping on top of his stomach! I have similar photos of my girls, when babies, doing the same thing! We would stay with them if our girls had a soccer tournament in Indy, and after a muddy wet game, there Gary would be, washing my kid’s socks and shinguards and muddy shoes for the next days game. I mean, who does that but someone with such extreme love in his heart. My girls remember Gary in our kitchen washing dishes at one of their High School graduation parties. And my entire family including my 91-year old mom, will never forget Gail and Gary taking charge of my mom when my older daughter got married. They looked out for her at the hotel and got her to the wedding and then the reception. We kind of chuckle that if it wasn’t for them, mom would have missed the wedding. So, I’ve known Gary for 45 or more years, and I, and my whole family, will miss him dreadfully. He was an important part of our lives and such a very very good man. During his last days we all got a chance to tell him we loved him, and for him to tell us he loved us.