Alfred C. “Jack” Allison Jr., 93, of Annville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, with his wife of 71 years by his side.
Born in Ono on Feb. 12, 1930, Jack was the son of A. Clare Sr. and Alma Minnich Allison.
Jack graduated from Jonestown High School with the Class of 1947. He went on to work for a few years at the Hershey Chocolate Factory, where his courtship with Dorothy began. He attended Lebanon Business College and worked as a civilian technician in the U.S. Property & Fiscal Office of the PA Army National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap; he was a finance specialist in the last five years of his tenure. He served in the PA National Guard for 36 years and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1984. Jack ultimately filled the vacancy of Business Manager for the Northern Lebanon School District; he held this position for 35 years before retiring in 1992.
He may have been “retired,” but Jack continued to give back to his community in several meaningful ways: he was an excellent financial secretary for Ono United Methodist Church for many years, he enjoyed teaching the adult Sunday School classes, and he served on the board for Salem Evangelical Cemetery in Ono.
In their seven decades of marriage, Jack and Dottie enjoyed swimming in their pool, going out for Friday dinners with a close group of friends, and lots of traveling adventures. They made trips to Ireland, Hawaii, and Alaska and two road trips across the country to California with their family. They particularly enjoyed singing together in the church choir, where Jack was known for his harmonies and bright tenor. In his younger days, he also sang in the Jonestown Male Chorus. Over the years, Jack and Dottie mentored many young couples and hosted gatherings at their Sealer Creek home; together, they nurtured and entertained a far-and-wide community of family and friends. Many people recall with fondness how Jack would learn their names and then create a fun play-on-words nickname for them – a nickname that would last for years. Each morning, Jack would start his day off with prayer. At the close of the day, he could often be found meticulously writing in his journal, keeping track of the weather, where he went or who swam in their pool, and what he ate for dinner. Jack loved a good book, his wife’s peanut butter pie, and a hot cup of coffee. He had a firm handshake, and he gave the best hugs.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Dorothy Anspach Allison; son, John (Wendy Weyant) Allison; daughter, Sally Allison; grandchildren, Abigail (Jeremy Vaux) King, Allison (Samuel Shelanski) King, Amanda (Sean) Murry, Anna Oliveri, Rae Allison-Stork, and Link Allison-Stork; great-granddaughter, Miya Broughton; sisters, Marjorie (Edwin) Secott and Rita (Henry) Hill; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan (Stephen) King; and sister, Cheryl (Mike) Ressler.
A celebration honoring Jack’s life and legacy will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at the Ono United Methodist Church. Immediately following the service, a visitation and luncheon with the family will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ono UMC Building Fund, 9 Main St., Ono, PA 17077.
