Merlyn Phillip Allen, 78, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2012 in a local hospital.  He was born in Van Meter, Iowa to Arthur and Ina Allen.  He attended Northwest Missouri State University and was a past President of Security State Bank in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War and a member of Goddard United Methodist Church.  He was preceded in death by his second wife Karen Allen.

A Memorial service will be held 10:00 AM Friday, August 3, 2012 at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith, AR.  Burial of the ashes will be held at a later date at U.S. National Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Marylou of the home; a son David Allen of Colorado Springs, CO; a daughter, Katherine Grein of Minneapolis, MN; a sister, Shirley Daugherty of Charleston, SC; an aunt, Dorothy Cushing of Waukee, IA, one grandson, Jason Phillip Grein of Lisby, MD; two step-daughters, Susan Phillips of Cleveland, TN and Bonnie Womac of Louden, TN; 8 step grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Peachtree Hospice 2010 Jenny Lind Rd. Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Online tributes may be made at www.ockerputmanfuneralhome.com