John Thomas Allender

John Thomas Allender, 71, Camby, died August 23, 2011, after a brave and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Mr. Allender was born July 2, 1940, in Brown County, to the late Elisha Daniel and Dollie Mildred (Childs) Allender.

Mr. Allender retired from Yellow Freight and had previously worked for ANR Trucking. He was a devoted member of Eternal Life Tabernacle in Indianapolis. Mr. Allender enjoyed staying busy with lots of hobbies, but especially enjoyed going to auctions and raising birds with his best friend, Shirley Cochran. Above all, he was a loving and loyal family man who enjoyed spending time with his loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Floyd “Dutch”, Wallace “Shug”, Bob, Danny, and Jack Allender; sisters, Alma Speer, Juanita Merriman, and Betty Jean Bain.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda (Soots) Allender; daughters, Lisa Kay Bonnewell (Mark) of Camby, Amy Driscoll (Keith) of Indianapolis; daughter adopted by love, Betty Bolin (Steve) of Camby; sisters, Patty Sanders (Bill) of Santa Claus and Shirley Gott (Frank) of Brown County; grandchildren, Allan, Jeffery, and Sarah Bonnewell; Jennifer and Nathan Nolan, Brandyn Collins; Danyelle and Sierra Bolin; four step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011, at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, August 26, 2011, at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. on Saturday. Burial will be in West Newton Cemetery. Pastor Mark Pingleton will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Eternal Life Tabernacle’s Food Pantry. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.