Obituary of Dennis McLallen

Dennis McLallen, age 78, left this earth to join his family on Friday, October 23, 2015. I have lost my best friend, my confident, and my mentor. Whose main task in life was to make me laugh through impossible times and at inappropriate times. He was there to encourage me, empower me, and urge me to tackle seemingly impossible tasks, and in my old age, he assured me I was still the beautiful woman he married. Dennis was born in Ithaca, NY on April 24, 1937. At an early age, he was given his first gun and it started his love of firearms that lasted his lifetime. His first job was in Tioga Tool and Machine Shop in Ithaca, NY. He was next employed by IBM in Owego, where he was a student in the first Tool Maker apprentice class held in IBM/Owego and graduated first in his class. He joined the National Guard from September 18, 1962 to September 18, 1968. He retired from IBM/Owego and went to work for IBM and EIT in Endicott for ten years until his final retirement. His line of work with IBM took him throughout the United States and many countries around the world. Dennis loved the farm and the outdoors. He was well traveled, and enjoyed visiting faraway places, but he always said Pennsylvania and the farm were his favorite places to be. He had a great interest and curiosity about everything that was happening in the world and out of it, he could discuss at great length, politics, science, astronomy, history, current events and the history of firearms. After he married, he learned to love classical music and the opera. He made a point to keep in touch with old friends. Dennis will be greatly missed. Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Gloria (Miller) McLallen; step children, Madelon Gibson, Melanie Gibson, Michael Gibson and his wife Pam Babuka, Marlon Gibson and his wife Wendy, Miriam Hunter, Melissa Gibson and husband Michael Hammarick; grandchildren, Richard Emmick, Michele Emmick, Gretchen Johnson, Zachary Mulcahy, Austin Hunter, Cora Jo Gibson, Emmie Lu Gibson, Sierra Gibson; great grandchildren, Zacharias Keeler, Sebastian Keeler, Magwin Emmick and Leora Donato. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, LLC, 765 Main Street, Vestal. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Dennis's name to the Wildlife Rescue, PO Box 71, Friendsville, PA 18818.