Darlene (Kappes) Allen

Darlene Marie Allen, 82, passed away on June 13th, 2025, at 2:22 p.m. at

Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. She was surrounded by her

loving family, brothers, sister, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends

throughout the weeks prior. As she passed, her family sang her favorite

songs and hymns.

Darlene was born on September 7, 1942, to Wilfred and Junetta (Martha)

Kappes. She married the love of her life, Larry J. Allen, on July 9, 1965, in

Rantoul, Illinois. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2000.

Darlene is survived by her son Brad (Tonya), granddaughters Karli Allen and

Madeline Allen, her son David (Susan) and grandson Logan Allen, her

daughter Lynn Pappalardo (Dino), grandson Nick Goryance (Jessica),

granddaughter Halle Pappalardo, great-grandsons Nick Jr. and Joey Goryance

and great-granddaughter Adeline. She is also survived by her brother Bob

Kappes, brother David Kappes and sister Linda Schiaretti. She attended

Holy Cross grade school and graduated from Champaign High School in

1960 where she sang in the choir and competed in numerous singing

competitions. Throughout all her contests, she received Superior in every

event except one, where she received an Excellent. Darlene was a fixture in

the St. Joseph United Methodist Church choir for decades and was requested

on numerous occasions to sing at wedding celebrations. Her love for music

resonates throughout the family. She reached a level of singing where she

was presented with the opportunity to sing opera at the professional level in

New York City.

Darlene was a dental assistant in St. Joseph for 25 years, until Larry got sick.

Throughout her life, she was known as a very kind and loving woman with a

beautiful, one-of-a-kind smile. Her joys in life were her family and friends.

Everyone who met her thought “their” Darlene was their special person. She

made everyone feel as if she had a special relationship with only them. Her

passion for being a grandmother superseded anything else in her life. She

was each of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s biggest fan.

She was known for her outstanding chicken and noodles.

Services and a celebration of life for Darlene Allen will be held at the St.

Joseph United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 17 at 12:00 p.m. The

family will receive visitors at the church between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Please feel free to wear Darlene’s favorite color, purple, or St. Louis Cardinal

red to celebrate her life. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery, St. Joseph,

Illinois.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Joseph United Methodist

Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene (Kappes) Allen, please visit our floral store.