Allen “Sonny” Ralph Isely, age 90, of Monroe passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Sonny was born on January 1, 1930, the son of Ralph and Helen (Voegeli) Isely in Monroe. He attended Jordan Center Schools. Sonny was united in marriage to the love of his life, Betty J. Dammen on November 7, 1964 in Orfordville; she preceded him in death on February 8, 2004.
Together they farmed for almost 30 years on the family farm outside of Monroe on Highway 81 and Jordan Township. After a farming accident in 1994 they retired to Monroe where Allen worked part-time at Swiss Colony for several years and continued doing fieldwork out on his farm. He loved being a farmer and raising his Holstein cattle. He also loved having his children raised in the same home that he grew up in. He was a member of Jordan Lutheran Church in Browntown.
He is survived by two daughters, Jana (Duane) Fox of Dyersville, IA and Lonna (Michael) Condron of Highland Village, TX; two sons, Dale Isely of Monroe and James “Jamie” (Brenda) Isely of Kyle, TX; 9 grandchildren, Sydney and Taylor Fox, Madeline and Karsten Condron, Abby, Zack, and Mitchell Isely, and Katelynn and Parker Isely; siblings, Juanita Brandt, Lavern “Tim” (Linda) Isely both of Monroe, and Delores “Tessie” (Alvie) Bernet of Monticello; brothers-in-law, Bob (Mary) Dammen of Janesville and Lee (Cindy) Dammen of Evansville; sister-in-law, Lynn (Mark) Roeben of Fort Wayne, IN; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; and parents-in-law, Burnell and Donna Dammen; brother-in-law, Fred Brandt.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, January 18, 2020 at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Perger officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of service, at the funeral home. A memorial fund is being established in Allen’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Friedensheim Assisted Living and Pleasant View Nursing Home for taking good care of him over these past years. For the amazing staff at the Monroe Clinic for all their kindness and care he received when he was a patient there.