Allen Joseph Dow, Jr.

Allen Joseph Dow, Jr., passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15th, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family at the golden age of 94. Beloved Husband of Judith Hope Nee Michels, Devoted Father of Mark Allen (Leticia), Scott Russell (Alida), Robert John (Lisa), Craig Joseph (Mary), Kyra Susan Whitford, and Ronin Dow. Loving son of the late Allen Joseph and the late Frances Nee Jaral Dow. Fond Grandfather of Haley, Parker, Cole, Ava, Charlotte, Spencer, Stirling, Sofia, The late Alisa, Sarah (Jeremy), and Niya. Fond Great-Grandfather of Chase. Dear Brother of the late Ann (the late John) Crivolio, the late Bernice (the late Bill) O’Brien, the late Patrick (the late Clare) Dow, the late Gerri (the late Gil) Barrett, the late Robert (the late Bonnie) Dow, the late Margaret (the late Lou) Pedone, the late Catherine (the late Casimer) Durkiewicz, the late Agnes (the late Frank) Mattaliano, the late Joseph (the late Maria) Dow. Dear Brother-in-law of the late John (the late Marge) Michels. Loving Cousin to many and Dear Uncle, Great Uncle, and Great-Great Uncle to many.

With profound sadness, we say goodbye to Allen Joseph Dow, 94, of Flossmoor, IL, who passed away on May 15, 2026. Born in Chicago, IL, on November 25, 1931, Allen filled every room with joy, laughter, and love. Warmhearted and witty, he often amused himself most—and he never turned down a good debate, especially once you agreed he was right.

As a child, Allen and several of his siblings performed in USO shows during World War II. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he drew on those early USO experiences and became a dance instructor at Fred Astaire. Allen briefly took a detour from the dance world, becoming a skilled sheet-metal worker before permanently trading in his work boots for tap shoes and the dream of owning his own business. He followed his passion for dance by opening the Allen Dow Dance Studio in Homewood, IL, which became a community staple. There, he gave adults and children a place to express themselves—and made sure everyone had fun doing so.

Above all, family defined Allen’s life. From a young age, he valued spending time with his siblings and cousins over anything else. That legacy carried on when he met, fell in love with, and married Judy Michels, his soulmate. Together, they built a life and, through even the most challenging times, instilled in their children the importance of love and family as the Dow core values. 

His legacy has now carried beyond his children, and onto the grandchildren, and in the end, he left this world listening to Frank Sinatra and surrounded by what he valued most, the love and laughter of his beloved family.

 Family and friends are to gather for the visitation on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, from 3-8 P.M. at Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL 60162 (located between Mannheim & Wolf Road.) A special words of remembrance service will be celebrated in Allen’s honor promptly at 6:00 P.M. Funeral to follow: Thursday May 21st, 2026, from Russo’s Hillside Chapels at 8:30 A.M. proceeding to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 1101 N. 23rd Ave, Melrose Park, IL 60160. Mass of Christian burial celebrated promptly at 10 A.M. interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, IL (Harrison Street entrance.) For additional info, call (708)449-5300.

Please share a remembrance or condolence on Allen’s tribute wall/guestbook found on the tab above.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Allen Joseph Dow, Jr., please visit our floral store.