Allen Craig Winthrop, 65, of Elkville, passed away at 12:56 A.M., Friday, November 5, 2021, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, after a 28-year battle with cancer.
Allen was born on May 15, 1956, to Allen Eugene and Ruth Gladson Winthrop, who preceded him in death.
He married Jill Ann Cochran on September 3, 1983 at the First Baptist Church in Elkville.
He is survived by wife of 38 years Jill Winthrop, daughters Mallory Bollinger and husband Jermaine and Ellie Winthrop, and grandchildren Slater and Nova Bollinger, three sisters - Jeanne Korando and husband Mitch of Elkville, Lisa Winthrop and Richard Jorgenson of Elkville, and Jodi Atchison and husband Bobby of Sesser, seven nieces and one nephew.
Allen was a true jack-of-all-trades. He worked with the Elkville Volunteer Fire Dept. where he and his friends formed a rescue and recovery dive team which would go on to become the Jackson County Dive team. Allen was also a coal miner and later became a maintenance man for Mr. Benning in Carbondale (where he loved his summer helpers). He found his passion in life working as a carpenter, a career in which he built and remodeled countless homes across Southern Illinois. Allen had many hobbies and especially loved deer hunting, cooking, and Civil War reenacting. He was particularly well known for shooting his cannon with King's Battery, which launched his illustrious movie career with roles in the independent cult horror film Revelation Trail and the forthcoming motion picture Letters Home. Another notable event was his annual participation in John A. Logan College's Civil War Days, during which he would kick off the Channel 3 morning news with cannon fire. Known by most as "Big Al," Allen loved to laugh and make other people laugh, maintaining his good humor until the end.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Monday, November 8, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Elkville with Rev. Scott Slone officiating.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M., Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Elkville.
Please use social distancing guidelines. Everyone in attendance is required to wear a mask.
Burial will be in the Elkville Cemetery at Elkville, IL.
Friends may make memorials to the Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.