Reverend Wilma Louise (Harner) Allen

Reverend Wilma L. (Harner) Allen, 97, passed away on December 26, 2021, at The Otterbein Franklin Community.  Wilma was born on January 3, 1924, in Washington, Indiana, the daughter of the late Edwin C. and Mae (McBride) Harner.  She was a 1945 graduate of Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis).  God’s calling came early to Wilma.  She began preaching at Oak Grove Church in Pennyville, Indiana and was assigned as their preacher in 1938 at the age of 14.  She served there until leaving for college.  While at Oak Grove, she met Birtle Allen.  He followed her to Indiana Central College, and they married in 1945.  As a full-time pastor for 48 years, Wilma served the Oak Grove United Brethren, Salem and Honey Creek Evangelical United Brethren, as well as the Morristown and Gwynnville United Methodist congregations.  After her retirement, she served part-time at University Heights United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her four children; Carl Allen (Ellen Stewart), Cathy Falk (Perry), Kent Allen (Connie) and Kevin Allen (Lana); brother Reverend Dale Harner; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  She was preceded in passing by her husband Birtle, and brother, Norman Harner.

Funeral service for Rev. Wilma L. Allen will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 31, 2021, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 East Adams Drive, Franklin, Indiana on Friday, December 31, 2021, with public calling from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Wilma’s life and ministry may be made to http://uindy.edu/giving/uindy-fund.

Streaming information will be via Facebook. 

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