Dewey “Crane” Allen

Dewey David “Crane” Allen, 70, a lifetime resident of Laurel, Indiana, passed away in his Ocklawaha, Florida home on Friday, May 8, 2026.

David was born on November 6, 1955, in Batesville, Indiana, son of the late Beverly “Whitey” Allen and Clara Bell Biere Allen. David attended both Metamora and Laurel schools and was a Navy veteran. Throughout his life, he was employed by M.E.G Manufacturing, was a stone mason and fished the pro bass circuit for several years.

David “Crane” was an old school biker. He got his first Harley at a young age and rode his whole life, enjoying the freedom and brotherhood that old school bikers live and know. He also had a great love of the outdoors and knew more about the woods, rivers, trees, mushrooms, lakes, wildlife, gardening and canning than most people. He had an old soul and was well versed in the almost forgotten past of our ancestors. Dave made it his life’s mission to teach and pass that knowledge down to close relatives and friends ensuring those family traditions would live on for future generations. He could tell you were to find the best bait in Franklin County, snatch a snapping turtle from under a creek bank with his bare hands and would predict the
weather by watching the squirrels. He loved hunting, trapping, fishing, anything to do with nature and was good at all of it.

Dave was the patriarch of our family and is survived by his three grandsons Dylan (Shelby) Allen and Jake (Megan) Allen and Ryder Allen; two great grandsons Dashtion and Deklin Allen; one sister Susan Allen Thompson; his nephews Benny (Nikki) Thompson, Aaron (Jerry) Allen, Dewey Allen and Mark (Jammie) Harmon; his nieces Beverly (Matt) Keller and Megan (Daniel) Steele; several cousins and many, many friends who were also family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Beverly “Whitey” and Clara Bell Allen; son, “Lil” David Allen; sister Debbie Allen Isaacs; brothers Stevie Allen and Donnie Allen; nephew Josh Thompson.

Dave will be deeply missed. For those that knew and loved him, we will all take a bit of his free spirit, love of life and long forgotten teachings through our lives with us. He made an impact on us all.

To honor and respect his final wishes there will be no service, ride, benefit, collections or memorial contributions. Dave wanted a quiet, intimate and private small family gathering on the river bank he loved so much. As a family, we will honor his wishes.