GREENFIELD
Orval Allen Kingen, age 80, of Greenfield, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at his home. He was born in Springfield, Missouri on April 9, 1943 to Orval Ronald Kingen and Reva Maxine (Kingery) Kingen. In the Autumn of 1956, he spotted a pretty little black-haired girl across the gym floor and eventually married her on February 18, 1962. That lucky lady is LaDonna J. (Copeland). Allen graduated from Hancock Central High School in 1962 and proudly served 4 years as an AP in the United States Air Force. Allen and LaDonna were married for 61 years, and he would always brag that she was the prettiest woman in the room.
His adventurous spirit and love of the open road led Allen on a 52-year journey as a truck driver. In 1991, he started his own trucking company, Kingen Interstate Express, Inc. and retired in 2017 after selling the company to his nephew, Rodney Kingen. Allen was a member of the Eden Masonic Lodge for 50 years, Eastern Star, Hancock County Historical Society, James W. Riley Poetry Club and Brandywine Community Church. He was an avid reader with a love for history. He was a great storyteller, writer, and poet and even had some of his work published. He was a friend to the hobos, including Reefer Charlie Fox and the Hobo King, Steam Train Murray. He loved Peterbilt trucks, driving his red Corvette WAY over the speed limit, hunting arrowheads, playing Texas Hold’em, watching NASCAR and baseball, and listening to old-timey country music, bluegrass, and southern gospel. Most of all, Allen loved his family dearly and enjoyed supporting his 5 grandchildren in everything they did.
Allen is survived by his loving wife, LaDonna Kingen; daughters, Libby Sheets and Toby Allyn (Brian) Huber; grandchildren, Brandon Allen (Becki Spade) Sheets, Wyatt Allen (Bridget Perkins) Huber, Jared Sheets, Tessa Rose Huber, and Jacob (Lauren Shillo) Huber; brother-in-law, Johnnie Murdoch; sisters-in-law, Dixie Catt, Beverly (Pud) Whisler, Marlene Copeland, and Donna Kay Copeland; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Brad Sheets; brothers, Ronnie Kingen and Brian Kingen; sister, Sherry Lydon; and brothers-in-law, Owen “Bud” Copeland, Roger Copeland, and Jack Catt.
Services will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at Erlewein Mortuary &Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Matt Wickham. Burial will follow at Eden Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to The Landing Place, 18 West South Street, Greenfield, IN, 46140 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
