RICKEY LYNN ALLEN II, 33, of Mechanicsburg, died Wednesday evening, July 9, 2008 in The Ohio State University Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Springfield on June 1, 1975 the son of Elisa and Ricky Schantz.

Rickey worked as a welder for Fuel Systems LLC and loved to work on cars and trucks.

He is survived by his parents of Springfield; wife, Heather L. (Neely) Allen; children, Kody and Kristina Allen; step-daughter, Breanna Hibbs; brother, Doug (Braedan) Schantz; sister, Nicky (Shaun) Phillips; and paternal grandfather, Fred Schantz. Also surviving are nephews, Derrick Phillips, Cole Schantz, Evan Schantz, and Cole Neely; niece, Cierra Phillips; uncle, David (Nita) Black; cousin, Trevor Allen; special friend and mother to his children, Paula Allen; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marilyn and Mark Neely; and brother-in-law, Shawn (Melanie) Neely.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ernest and Marjorie Black; paternal grandparents, Walter and Hazel Allen; and paternal grandmother, Emma Schantz.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.

Funeral services will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Gary Day of Berea Bible Church officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park at the convenience of the family.