Aletha was born on June 2, 1922, in Jordan Township, Mich., the daughter of Arthur and Marie (Stark) Taft.

She was a resident of the Mancelona area all of her life and was a long time member of the Mancelona United Methodist Church. She was employed by the Antrim County State Savings Bank in Mancelona and enjoyed sewing, crocheting and reading.

She is survived by a son, W. Michael (Rhonda) Allen of Kalamazoo, two sisters, Rosemary Taft of Saginaw and Jeannette Bradley of Howell, a half sister, Judy Geese of Saginaw, a half brother, Rodney Chase of Farmington Hills, two granddaughters, Laura and Sandra Allen of Kalamazoo and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren A. Allen, in 1972, and her parents.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at noon at the Mancelona United Methodist Church. The Rev. Kathy Steen will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mancelona. Visitation will take place on Friday, March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mancelona United Methodist Church or to the Arthritis Foundation.