Allen Breckenridge

Allen Breckenridge 86, Independence, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at The Groves in Independence.

Mr. Breckenridge was born June 7, 1921, in Shreveport, La., to the late Asa Allen and Nelle Breckenridge. He married Emma Jane Smith of Independence on June 25, 1944, in St. Joseph, Mo. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Pittsburg State University. His entire life has been guided by the Scripture, serving as a full-time minister for the Community of Christ for 45 years before retiring in 1986, and served as a missionary in French Polynesia from 1947 to 1986. He took up running at age 50. He was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Robert Breckenridge.

His survivors include his wife, Emma Jane Brackenridge of The Groves; two sons, David Allen (Carmen) Breckenridge of Columbus, Ohio, and Mark Scott (Karen) Breckenridge of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter, Carol Lei (Michael) Breckenridge of Pella, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Christopher Allen Alvarez-Breckenridge, Jessica Breckenridge Post, Sanne Herrick Maki, Jessica Ann Breckenridge, Joshua Daniel Breckenridge, Johnathan David Breckenridge and Jerome Allen Breckenridge; great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Matthew and Jaden; three nephews, William Smith, Randy Smith and James Breckenridge; and three nieces, Evelyn Smith Steele, Jane Ritzma and Judy Webster.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Baue Funeral and Memorial Center, St. Charles, Mo., 636-946-7811. Interment will be at St. Charles Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Community of Christ Church, 2790 Highway K, O’Fallon, Mo. 63368 and/or the Alzheimer’s Association.