December 23, 2015

Ottis Wayne Allen, 75, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at the KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. He was born May 4, 1940, in Pleasanton, Kan. He married Minnie Lou Holt Oct. 8, 1961, in Farlinville, Kan. He served in the U.S. Army for six years, stationed in Heilbronn, Germany. After his service, he graduated from Emporia State University with a BS in Business Administration. He began working for the Western Insurance Company in 1969. After transitioning to American States Insurance, he moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., and later Montgomery, Ala. He then moved back to Fort Scott with Safeco Insurance.
Ottis enjoyed traveling, antiquing, photography, hunting, deep sea fishing and vegetable gardening. He was a former member of the Jaycee’s and Kiwanis Clubs in Fort Scott. He was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W., serving in the color guard. He was a member of the S.E.K. Area Agency on Aging Board and the Silver Haired Legislature, both in Chanute, Kan. Ottis also volunteered for many community service projects through the years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife Minnie Lou of the home; a brother, Cleland Allen, Fort Scott; two sisters, Vada Casteel and husband Max, Clinton, Mo., and Joyce Allen, Fort Scott; mother-in-law, Maxine Holt, Prescott, Kan.; brothers-in-laws, Larry Holt and wife Linda and Bruce Holt and wife Meg, all of Mound City, Kan.; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; as well as his dog, Bruce Almighty and cat, Abby. He was preceded in death by a brother, Morris Allen; a niece, Kathy Wyatt; and his parents.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at the First United Methodist Church, Fort Scott. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to either the First United Methodist Church, the V.F.W. or the American Legion and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.