Mr. Michael Maurice “Mike” Allen, age 72, of Vevay, Indiana, formerly of Summersville, Missouri, entered this life on April 17, 1954 in Summersville, Missouri. He was the loving son of Clell Maurice Allen and Waneta “Lucille” (Bryson) Allen Barnett. On March 29, 1964, Mike was baptized, which began a lifelong journey rooted in his Christian beliefs and devotion to the Lord. Mike was raised in Summersville, Missouri, where he attended Stallman School, a one-room schoolhouse, through the eighth grade. Mike was a 1972 graduate of Summersville High School, where he was the salutatorian of his graduating class. He later attended a trade school in Nashville, Tennessee, for one year, where he received his diesel mechanic certification. Mike was united in marriage to Sheila Elaine Craig on February 10, 1974 and this union of 26 years was blessed with four children. Throughout his life, Mike held a variety of occupations and self-employment jobs and enjoyed the hard work that came with each of them. He worked as a shoe salesman at Brown’s Shoe Store in Houston, Missouri for a few years and later worked at Schwan’s Company in Missouri for several years. Mike owned and operated a dairy farm including custom haying with his family in Summersville, Missouri. He later farmed hay in Anderson, Missouri, and continued farming after moving to Vevay, Indiana, where he raised beef cattle. Farming remained an important part of Mike’s life, and he took pride in the work and care that went into it. Mike was dedicated to his community and the Summersville school system. He was a former school board member for 12 years, including past President for a few years. Mike was also a school bus driver for the Summersville Schools for several years. Mike quickly became a favorite among the students and was very loved. Mike was a former member of the Ozark Baptist Church in Houston, Missouri. He later became a member of the First Baptist Church in Summersville, Missouri, where he was the song leader and taught Sunday school for several years, and later at Faith Baptist Church in Summersville, Missouri. Mike later moved to Arkansas where he became a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church in Rogers, Arkansas, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. While there, Mike met Ms. Deborah Renee “Debbie” Collins at church and asked her if she would be his friend. On November 4, 2000, Mike and Debbie tied the knot in Rogers, Arkansas and this union of 26 years was blessed with a daughter, Katera. Mike and his family later became members of the Hiwasse Baptist Church in Hiwasse, Arkansas, where he led a co-ed Sunday school class and helped lead the worship services. Mike and Debbie moved to the Vevay, Indiana community in 2018 and became members of the Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview, Indiana. Mike enjoyed playing his guitar and singing special songs for the congregation he deeply loved. He especially cherished the old hymns and found great joy in sharing gospel music and putting smiles on the faces of others. Mike also enjoyed working as a driver for the Amish community and treasured the many friendships he made along the way. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it was moving cattle or helping with whatever needed to be done. Mike enjoyed farming, working, singing, playing his guitar, and most of all, spending quality time with his family. He always enjoyed a good conversation and loved catching up with those he loved. In his spare time, Mike enjoyed watching Westerns and was an avid Star Trek fan, making sure just about every member of his family watched it right along with him. He also took great pride in his metallic gray Chevelle with black stripes and a white leather interior, which he had owned since he was a young teenager. The Chevelle became a special part of the family, with his children even driving it during their high school years. Mike and Debbie also looked forward to attending the Gaither Family Festival each year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they treasured the time spent together listening to one of their favorite gospel artist. Mike was deeply loved by his family and will be forever cherished for the love, laughter, faith, and countless memories he shared with those he loved. Mike passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at his residence.
Mike will be forever cherished by his wife, Deborah Renee “Debbie” (Collins) Allen of Vevay, IN; his daughters and sons, Hope Best and her husband, Michael of Houston, MO, Chad Allen of Summersville, MO, Lori Holden and her husband, Ryan of Birch Tree, MO, David Allen and his wife, Misty of West Plains, MO, and Katera “Katie” Allen of Vevay, IN; his step-son, Timothy James and his companion, Whitney of Springdale, AR; his grandchildren, Tyler Best (Taylor), Trenton Best (Laura), Andrew Holden (Madison), Justin Allen, Emma Allen, Adryan Holden (Emily), Adalyn Holden, Jeremiah Allen (Emily), Jasmine Coble (Seth), and Bransen Myers; his great-grandchildren, Olivia Best, Hollis Holden, and Delaney Allen; his mother, Waneta “Lucille” (Bryson) Allen Barnett and her husband, LC of Garfield, AR; his sisters, Connie Lightner and her husband, Jim, of Rogers, AR, Amy Adkison and her husband, David of Houston, MO; his brother, Gary Allen and his wife, Trish of Summersville, MO; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Brenda Allen of Summersville, MO, Mary and Todd Kressley of Witcherville, AR, Michael Harris of Pine Bluff, AR, Bobby Phillips of Fort Wayne, IN, Breana and Kevin McDonald of Washburn, MO, and David Higginbotham of Rogers, AR; and his nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clell Maurice Allen, died December 21, 2005; his brother, Larry James Allen, died September 24, 2017; his paternal-grandparents, Clell M. Allen, died March 3, 1973 and Bertha “Clyde” Allen, died April 23, 1988; his maternal-grandparents, Howard Jackson Bryson, died July 2, 1985 and Alice Mae “Allie” (Stayton) Bryson, died May 26, 1976; his maternal aunt, Evelyn Alieen (Bryson) Crane Sykes, died March 20, 2018; and his sister-in-law, Curtina “Tina” Jane (Collins) Higginbotham, died August 21, 2021.
INDIANA: Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043 Funeral Services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2026, by Bro. John Hale, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
MISSOURI: Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m, Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Bradford Funeral Home, 305 North Main Avenue, Summersville, Missouri 65571. Funeral Services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m,, Saturday, October 10, 2026, by Bro. John Hale, at the Bradford Funeral Home, 305 North Main Avenue, Summersville, Missouri 65571.
Interment will follow in the Oakside Cemetery, Summersville, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview Baptist Church, Oakside Cemetery, or Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Cards are available at the funeral homes or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com and www.bradfordfuneralhome.net