Daniel R. Allen

A Legend Has Left the Building: Celebrating Daniel Richard Allen

January 21, 1948 - December 24, 2025

Danny, the cherished last living member of the Oscar and Viola Allen family of thirteen, passed away on Wednesday December 24, 2025 at the age of 77. Danny was able to leave this world peacefully at home under the care of his family and Hospice after bravely battling ALS. He was a fighter to the very end, full of sass and a keen mind, but in a body that no longer answered to his whims. Danny will forever be the keeper of the stories, the last to carry the direct memories of the many souls that grew up on the corner of Miami Trail and 1st Road in Bremen. He will be missed by many. His good humored nature and knack for mischief left people from Bremen to Valparaiso with the very best tales.

Born the youngest of 11 children, Danny learned early on that if you wanted to be heard, you had to be either the loudest, the funniest, or the handiest. He achieved all three. He carried the resilience and humor of a large family into everything he did. Danny was a character of sorts, always the life of the party, full of “Elvis” energy, and the only Allen who could rewire a house while humming a decent rendition of Suspicious Minds.

He was a gifted electrician and mechanic, and spent his life unraveling complex problems with his hands. He was a savant of sorts when it came to fixing things, and the kind of guy who was the first you’d call if you needed help with something. He could fix anything and would happily drop whatever he was doing to help his friends and family, and the neighborhood kids as well. In his later years, Danny always had a line up of bikes and toys that needed his care. His heart was always for the kids.

Danny was also known for his music. His voice and guitar playing skills were the soul of many family gatherings over the years. His simple love for music and his unassuming ways often got others behind the microphone with him who normally wouldn’t dare. He loved Elvis and old hymns and rock and roll, and he especially loved a good Christmas Eve party. He lived his life like a soundtrack was playing in the background, with music and jokes and an ease of spirit that was only Danny.

When he wasn’t working or playing music, he could often be found out in nature, hunting for the elusive morel mushroom, fishing with his beloved kids and grandkids, or just spending time outdoors, enjoying the wind and the trees and marveling at all God had made.

Danny cared remarkably little for material things. His wealth was found in his simple faith and his deep love for his family. He was a constant helper and a man who showed his devotion through his patience and tireless work for those he held dear.

Danny was also a proud Army Veteran who served his country in the Vietnam War. He loved his flag, his country, and loved to don his beloved veteran hats.

He is survived by his three children, Angie (George), Chad, and Dannette (Derek), and four grandchildren, Cassidy (Chad), Rowan, Rigby and Rage (Dannette), and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Viola Allen, and ten siblings, Mary Jane, Jack, Charlotte, Rex, Marjorie, Jim, Gary, Dave, Dale, and Cathy.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday January 3, 2026 at Mishler’s Funeral Home in Bremen, Indiana. Visitation will be from 9:00am - 11:00am ET, with the Memorial Service beginning at 11:00am ET.  Cremation will follow.