Leola Jenell Allen

Leola Jenell Allen

(June 26, 1936 – April 19, 2023)

Leola “Jenell” Pfeiffer Allen , 86, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 5:35 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Shelbyville Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 23, 2023 in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, IL.

Jenell was born on June 26, 1936 in Shelby County, IL, the daughter of Arthur W. “Art” and Ethel (McNeese) Pfeiffer. She graduated from Shelbyville High School and Sparks Business College, both in Shelbyville. She also graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She was a member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi. Jenell was employed by Dove & Dove Law Office in Shelbyville, IL, and A.E. Staley Stenographic Department in Decatur, IL. Jenell taught school at Stewardson-Strasburg School for 21 years. After her retirement, she taught part time and worked as a substitute teacher in both the Stewardson-Strasburg and Shelbyville School Systems. Jenell loved teaching and her students. She was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, IL. She was also a member of TRIAD and volunteered for seniors in the Shelby County area. Jenell married Robert C. “Bob” Allen on March 27, 2002 and he survives.

Jenell is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Scott Juhnke of Whitehall, MT; step-sons, Daniel Balsman of Shelbyville, IL, Randy Allen (Janet) of Shiloh, IL, and Rick Allen (Jodi) of Shelbyville, IL; step-daughter, Dala Watson (Brant) of Wilmington, IL; sisters, Ardy Wakefield (Ross) of Lemont, IL, and Vickie Weyand (Jon) of Alabama; brother, Lowell “Bud” Pfeiffer (Betty) of Sebring, FL; grandson, Dylan Juhnke of Whitehall, MT; step-grandsons, Chase and Hunter Watson of Wilmington, IL; step-granddaughters, Molly Allen of Shiloh, IL, Mikailah Clark (Brad Halderman) of Houston, TX, Mykennah Allen of Orlando, FL, and Kearah Allen (Jesse Burrell) of Shelbyville, IL; step-great granddaughter Raelynn Allen of Shiloh, IL; and special friends, John & Linda Heldebrandt of Nokomis, IL and Paul & Betty Corley of Lakewood, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Gregory, Eric and Chuck Juhnke; daughter, Darla Juhnke; sister, Carol Wright; cousin, Rich Halbrook; and grandson, Lucus Juhnke.