Allen W. Gaebe

Mr. Allen W. Gaebe, a lifelong resident of Addieville, IL, departed this life at the Washington County Hospital-Extended Care in Nashville, IL on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 8:55 PM.  He had attained the age of 86 years, 1 month and 15 days.  He was a true original, an armchair physician and a lifelong contrarian who lived life on his own terms.

Allen was born on May 3, 1935 in Centralia, IL the son of John K. and Gladys (nee Weigel) Gaebe.  

Allen graduated from Nashville High School in 1953, attended SIU Carbondale and graduated from McKendree College. After serving in the Army Reserves, he returned home to Addieville to manage the family farm business. Allen was a volunteer fireman and an encounter with a kitten escaping a barn fire, launched his passion for cats—lots of them. His hobby was tinkering and his insistence on climbing ladders well into his 80’s worried his niece Lauren Bakker-Arkema to no end.

Darlene Kuhn was Allen’s great love and although they never married, they were together for over fifty years until her death in 2014. They were fellow cat lovers and had several adventures together including a trip to England in 1996 with his beloved older brother John Rodney Gaebe and his sister-in-law Georgeann.

Allen was a generous and engaged uncle to his three nieces Susan Everett (of Carpenteria, CA); Karen Gaebe (of Wilmette, IL) and Lauren Bakker-Arkema (of Webster Groves, MO) —with whom he shared a particularly close relationship, as she helped him manage the family business after John Rodney passed away in 2008. Lauren and Allen spent quite a lot of time together over the past 13 years—administering farm business and lunching in Nashville, IL every Friday. Even though Allen lived alone for most of his life, he was a real people person who loved a good conversation and/or debate.

Per the wishes of Allen and his family, cremation was performed.  A celebration of Allen’s life will take place Thursday, June 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Cemetery in Addieville, IL. Those wishing to attend are asked to go directly to the cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Addieville Community Club or the Washington County Partners for Pets and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home, who is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online expressions of sympathy can be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.