Allan Leo Furney

April 15, 1943 - November 29, 2019

Allan Leo Furney age 76 of Knoxville, Iowa passed away Friday morning, November 29, 2019, at the MercyOne Hospice of Johnston, Iowa. Visitation for Allan will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville, beginning at 3:00 P.M. Allan’s family will be present to greet friends and relatives from 5:00 P.M. ~ 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. also at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Following services, a luncheon will be held at the Church. Private family burial will be held at the Sixteen Cemetery of rural Thornburg, Iowa at a later date. Allan was born on April 15, 1943 in Sigourney, Iowa. He was the only child of Leo and Mildred (Fisch) Furney. Allan grew up in rural Keswick, Iowa and graduated from Tri County High School, Class of 1961. After high school he took courses from DeVry University before going to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1967 with his teaching degree. In Allan’s senior year of college, on December 17, 1966 at the Keswick Methodist Church Allan and Merna Sue Niswander were united in marriage. They shared almost 53 years of marriage and were blessed with one daughter Lisa. After college Allan started teaching at the Knoxville High School. He taught English, Writing, and Literature for 29 1/2 years. Allan also produced the Knoxville High School yearbook for most of his teaching career. Allan’s second career started in 1973 when he photographed his first wedding. Allan became a professional photographer and in 1990 he built and designed his photography studio at his home. Allan was a very active and supporting member of the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. He enjoyed woodworking, building signs, dry sinks, bookcases, sewing tables and Nativity Creches. Allan especially enjoyed trains, planes and automobiles and was excellent at designing and building model railroad layouts. Those left to cherish Allan’s memory include his wife of almost 53 years Merna Furney of Knoxville; his daughter Lisa Inskeep and husband David; two grandchildren, Nikkie Inskeep and David Inskeep, Jr.; and his bonus daughter Heidi Wright; one Brother-in-law Larry Niswander and his wife Margaret and their children Tim Niswander and Teresa Rubendall and her husband Steve and their families and many cousins. Allan is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Mildred Furney. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the First united Methodist Church. The Winfield Funeral Home is assisting Allan’s family with services. Online condolences can be sent to www.winfieldfh.com.