Shirley Ann Allen, 95, of Valley Falls, KS, passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Kelly House in Meriden. She was born November 4, 1930 in St. Joseph, MO, the daughter of Wesley Theodore and Rena Mae (Hammond) Arthur.

She attended school in St. Joseph, MO, Kansas City, MO, Sioux City and LeMars, IA; before graduating from Valley Falls High School in 1948. She lived in Oregon from 1955-1969.

Shirley retired in November 1993 from the State of Kansas in the Kansas Corporation Commission Department after 24 years of service. She then worked part-time for the Valley Falls Vindicator for 8 years.

She was a life-member of Jefferson County Historical Society and Valley Falls Historical Society.

She married Morris Glenn Pence on January 26, 1949. They were divorced. She married Harold Seth Allen on November 24, 1955. They also divorced.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Linda Jane Bain (Steve) of Valley Falls, KS; 3 grandchildren, Matthew Bain (Amanda), Carrie Belveal (Brian Slaton) and Katie Fisher (Justin) and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Rena Arthur; 2 sons, Steve Wesley Pence and James Dean Pence and 2 sisters, Linda Stansell and Rhesa Newman.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Delaware Township Library and may be mailed to Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.