James "Milky" Allen

James “Milky” Allen, 75, a native of Bedford, PA, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Wilmington, DE, at Christina Care Hospital, due to complications from surgery. Born on January 26, 1950, he was a son of the late J. Clair and Margaret (Smith) Allen. His distinctive almost white blonde hair earned him the nickname “Milky/Milk” at a young age, a moniker that stuck with him his entire life. A 1968 graduate of Bedford High School, Milk was a standout athlete, excelling in football, wrestling, and baseball. He continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), graduating in 1972. During his time at IUP, Milk was a member of the wrestling team and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where he established lifelong enduring friendships.

Upon graduating from IUP, Milk went to work in the Bedford area at various jobs including as a caseworker for Child Care Services. In 1983, he relocated to Newark, DE, where he spent several years as a lab technician at the DuPont Co. He later joined Lanxide/M Cubed Technology, working in the materials testing laboratory until his retirement in 2016.

Milk was an easy going, affable, and dependable guy. He had a wonderful sense of humor and found joy in music and sports. After many years of participating in team sports, he embraced running, completing numerous 10K races and a few half-marathons. He was a devoted football fan, rooting for the Steelers and following college football. His love for the sport extended to fantasy football, where he notably participated in the Bedford Pro Fantasy Football League for nearly four decades. He was also a member of a league in Newark, DE for several years.

Milk was preceded in death by his brother, R. Joseph Allen, and sister-in-law, Anna Mae Allen; his sister, Anna May Weaver, and brother-in-law, C. Wilson Weaver; his sister, Linda Way Burkhart Vent; and his nephew, Mark Way. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Thomas Vent; nieces Kathy Weaver Morrison, Kay Weaver Tipton, Karen Weaver Baughman, Kim Weaver Marcello, and Joni Allen Graybill; nephews Steve Allen, Tom Allen, Bruce Allen, David Way, and Craig Way; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews. Milky also leaves behind special friends David and Gretchen Gobris of Wilmington, DE.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford with Jim Miller officiating. Friends will be received on Saturday from 3 – 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Following the service, friends and family are invited to the Bedford American Legion to celebrate Milky’s life, share memories, and enjoy drinks and dinner in his honor. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com