Michael Dean Allen

Michael Dean Allen, 67, died on March 22, 2017, in Indianapolis, Ind. He had been suffering from polycystic renal/kidney failure for many years.He was the son of Marion Lee and Joan (Kline) Allen of Middletown, Ind. While growing up in the Middletown area, he was active on the family farm and in the local 4-H. In 1967, he was one of the final graduates of the Middletown High School before its closure. He attended Vincennes University prior to transferring to Indiana State University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1971. His love of teaching led him to Ball State University where he was awarded his master's degree in education.After graduating college he made New Castle, Ind. his home and began his long career in education with New Castle Schools. While he was the director of Adult Basic Education for New Castle Schools he was honored to host Barbara Bush at a GED graduation ceremony highlighting adult literacy. After leaving New Castle Schools, he taught and worked with the disabled at the former New Castle State Hospital and with Shares Inc. of Greenfield, Ind. While he professed to his family that he was retired after moving to Indianapolis in 2008, he continued to teach and lecture part-time in communications for Indiana University and Ivy Tech State College until 2015.Michael enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends, and endlessly manicuring the lawn and garden at his home. He will always be remembered for his persistent optimism, compassion and humor.He is survived by his mother Joan K. Allen; son Matthew and his husband, James Cloud; son Kyle and his wife, Rachel; grandchildren Connor, Seth and Norah; step-children Aimee Flynn of Plainfield, Ind. and Brook Flynn of Lewisville, Ind.; niece Dawn Midelis, her husband James and their children of Fort Pierce, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Allen; his sister Debora 'Debby' Allen; paternal grandparents, Reuben and Helen Allen-Shroyer; maternal grandparents, Howard and Helen Kline.Calling will be at Ballard & Sons Funeral Home at 118 S. 5th Street, Middletown, Ind. on March 31 from 4-6:00pm. Memorial services in his honor will be held at the Anderson Church of the Brethren in Anderson, 741 Scatterfield Road, on Saturday, April 1, at 11:00am with a social hour following for family, friends and guests to celebrate the life of Michael in the reception hall at the church. A private cremation burial will follow at a later date at Mechanicsburg Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to be given in Michael's honor to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation ( www.pkd-cure.org ), PO Box 871847, Kansas City MO 64187. SERVICES Visitation Friday, March 31, 20174:00 PM - 6:00 PM Ballard and Sons, Middletown 118 South 5th Middletown, Indiana