Allen Blake Strait

Allen Blake Strait, 78 of Gallipolis, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Holzer Medical Center. He was born January 4, 1931 in Gallipolis, son of the late Weldon T. and Mary Ellen Cremeans Strait. Allen was married for nearly 46 years to Judy Layne Strait and she survives him. He was a graduate of Gallia Academy High School, Rio Grande College and received his master's degrees from Ohio University and Marshall University. Allen was retired from teaching at the Gallipolis Developmental Center and Mason County Board of Education. He was a substitute teacher in the Gallipolis City Schools and Gallia County Local Schools. He was also a piano instructor and enjoyed reading, walking, gardening and classical music. Allen was a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church. Surviving are his wife, Judy Strait of Gallipolis; two daughters, Julie Strait and Melinda Strait, both of Gallipolis; two sons, William Angie Strait of Crown City and James Strait of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Gregory and Andrew Cook, Cassandra and Blake Strait, Jeremy Circle, Devon and Jenna Hanning; one brother, Weldon Francis Carolyn Sheets of San Bernardino, California; one sister, Margaret Rose Neuser of Corona, California; several nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, David E., Merle and Jiles Strait, three sisters, Guineth Strait, Garnett Elizabeth Strait and Gwendolyn Marie Sheets. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2009 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Monsignor William Myers officiating. Burial will follow in Mina Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at the Willis Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Allen's memory to John Paul II Parish Center, 85 State St., Gallipolis, OH 45631. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2009-09-19 Mina Chapel Cemetery Gallia County OH US Visitation: 2009-09-18 18:00:00-20:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2009-09-19 10:00:00 St. Louis Catholic Church Gallipolis OH US