Charles "Charlie" Merritt Allen, age 81, passed away at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie on Sept. 5, 2016 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. As per Charlie's wishes, he donated his body to the University of Wisconsin for medical study. He was born in Eldorado, Il on Feb. 6, 1935 to the late Merritt and Christine Allen. He attended High School in Freeport and graduated from University of Illinois in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering; and later he acquired his Professional Engineering license. Charlie worked at Sunstrand Aviation in Rockford for two years and later at Microswitch, a division of Honeywell, in Freeport for thirty three years retiring in 1993. Upon retiring, he and Laurel moved to the home they built on Lake Wisconsin. He was united in marriage to Laurel L. Lokay on July 1, 1961 in Berwyn, Il. He was an assistant Scout Master, enjoyed playing softball, downhill skiing, fishing, varmint hunting, training Labradors for field trials and hunting and most of all trap shooting. Charlie was actively involved in many local trap shooting clubs and shot competitively in the Badger State Shoot and the Grand American.

He is survived by his wife, Laurel; 2 sons, David Allen (LeAnna) of Spring, TX and Daniel (Nerissa) Allen of Prairie du Sac; 4 granddaughters, Lindsey, Jennifer, Katelyn, and Leah; a brother, William (Roberta) Allen of Sycamore, Il.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter in-law, Yen N. Allen.

A celebration of Charlie's life will be held from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Sat. Sept. 10, 2016 at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City, WI 53583.

Memorials may be made in Charlie's name to the Sauk Prairie Trap and Skeet Club Youth Program.

Charlie's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Maplewood Sauk Prairie Memory Care Staff and Joni Blau, Home Health United Hospice Staff, Sauk Prairie Clinic and Dr. Steven Johnson, and Bill Bishop of Sauk County Adult Protective Services.