Edward J. Allen (Eddie) passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2009 at Calvert Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 24, 1925 on a farm in Ritchie, Maryland to the late Edward Leonard and Leah Allen.

He was preceded in death by a sister Marjorie A. Williams. Eddie is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jean; daughter Bonnie; son Bruce; six grand children and seven great grand children.

He graduated from Upper Marlboro High School in 1941 and attended the University of Maryland. Eddie was very agriculturally oriented. He was very active in 4-H and bought his first tractor at age 14. He farmed in partnership with his father growing tobacco, produce, chickens, grain, and livestock. When Washington D.C. threatened to challenge farming, they started looking for another farm. In 1955 they bought Spider Hall Farm in Barstow, Maryland Calvert County. Eddie and Jean then took over the management of the farm. They built a cattle lot and grew tobacco, corn, soybeans, and small grains.

Eddie was very active in agricultural organizations. He was elected President of the Calvert County Farm Bureau in 1976 and went on to be a Maryland Farm Bureau Officer, serving as President in 1990-1991. In 1985 he received the state wide Service to Agriculture Award. He served on the Maryland Crop Improvement Association and helped organize the Mid-Atlantic Soy Bean Association, serving as its first Vice-President. Eddie was a board member of the Maryland Soy Bean Board and The Maryland Grain Producers and he represented the Maryland Farm Bureau in the Maryland Agricultural Commission. Eddie helped organize the Calvert County Agricultural Land Preservation Program and served as the chairman of the board for two terms. In 1980, he and Jean sold their development easements to the state of Maryland to ensure Spider Hall Farm will remain in active farm production for infinity.

He was a lifelong Episcopalian and attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Prince Frederick. There he served as a member of the vestry, a Sunday School Teacher, and the Administrator of Sunday School Programs. Eddie was also a member of the Prince Frederick Rotary Club for 42 years. In 2004, Eddie and Jean retired from farming and moved to Asbury-Solomons Continuing Care Facility and sold the farm.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Rausch Funeral Home, Lusby, MD. Funeral Services will be offered Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 10AM in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Prince Frederick, MD with Rev. Julie Wizorek officiating. Interment will follow in the Epiphany Episcopal Cemetery, Forestville, MD.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.