Obituary: Allen D. Sheehan

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Allen D. Sheehan

Age 87, of Shorewood, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Allen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 19, 1938, the son of the late Myrtle Amelia (Hahne) and Leo Edward Sheehan. He grew up in Forest Lake, Illinois, and attended the former Ela-Vernon High School before enrolling at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. A dedicated educator, Allen taught for many years at Morton East High School as well as Morton Junior College, inspiring countless students throughout his career.

On August 10, 1963, he married Virginia “Jean” Ryan at St. Angela Parish in Chicago. Together, they shared 62 years of marriage, a deep love for family, and a life filled with faith and service.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, and their daughters: Laura (Dan) Klebenow, Maureen Sheehan, and Kathleen (Peter) Wodzianski; grandchildren: Molly (Jesus) Mendez, William (Julianne) Klebenow, James Klebenow, Margaret (Foster) Heise, Mary Beth (Marian) Krasowski, David (Andrea) Manganiello, Maddie (Skyler) Blanton, Meagan (James) Russo, Tommy Keenan, and Reilly Keenan; and great-grandchildren: Meah, Ronan, Lucia, Ophelia, Ford, Maisie, Penny, Zion, Faith, Cadi, Willow, Sadie, Autumn, and baby Blanton due in September. He is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Col. Leo Sheehan, Jr. (the late Renate) and Janet Olson (the late Richard).

Allen will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his dedication to his students, and the quiet ways he helped those in need. His love for real estate and property management was evident in his many projects, especially his cherished “Pineapple Retreat,” a place that became the heart of countless family memories. Many of his grandchildren followed in his footsteps into education, a testament to the impact he made both personally and professionally.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 15, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road (at Essington Road), Joliet. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025, beginning at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, processing to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brookforest Avenue (Route 59), Shorewood, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Allen’s name may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit www.fredcdames.com to share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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