Roseanne "Rose" Allen's Obituary
Roseanne “Rose” Allen, the daughter of Edith and Wallace Tibbals, a longtime resident of Bellbrook, Ohio, passed on July 6, 2026, joining her husband, Ken, on the great farm in the sky. It is inspiring to picture her reuniting with him, her childhood friend and great companion. He adored her and gave her ample space to be the creative, spontaneous, and playful person she was.
Rose was a humble authority on many subjects, and her practical wisdom will be greatly missed. She knew about trees and plants, gardening, and dogs. She knew her way around farm equipment, antique cars, trailers, tractors, buggies, and boats. She knew how to fix things (except meals- let’s be honest here.) When she was interested in something, her knowledge around that topic was surprising, thorough, and effortless. Through example, she taught her children how to pursue what they love with all their might. Which brings us to horses…
Rose loved horses. If asked to tell the story of her life, she would tell it horse by horse. During girlhood summers, she would often ride through Kansas fields, tie her horse to a bench in front of Sabetha’s only diner, and eat lunch with her grandpa. She resented travel and was a homebody when given a choice because home was where her horses and dogs were.
Her career and expertise as a horsewoman encompassed dressage, foxhunting, showing, and driving. She was an accredited show judge and shared her knowledge with many young riders. She volunteered with the Therapeutic Riding Institute, where she assisted children with special needs to experience horses. During its glory days, Rose took a leading role in the Miami Valley Hunt Club. Later, she was an enthusiastic member of the Camargo Hunt Club. She was also an active volunteer with the Ohio Horseman’s Council. Both she and Ken became interested in antique buggies and were members and participants in the Ohio Valley Carriage Club.
Rose loved her animals, but she was also a wonderful, if unconventional, mother. She had a casual attitude towards the education of her children and pulled them from the doldrums of school for urgent happenings like new puppies, baby goats, bakery runs, fence painting, foxhunting, or afternoons at grandma’s house. In Rose’s coloring book, exuberant scribbling was always an option, and that was its own kind of education. Her children will remember her joyfully.
Finally, let us note the shining miracle that this woman lived to be 91 years old and died in her sleep. During her many farm-centered adventures, she dodged death at least a half dozen times. She was thrown off horses and tipped out of carriages. She fell through a frozen pond and was hit by a falling tree. In a world where everyone complains about everything, she gave pain no attention and never complained. Rose was exceptional. She remained till the very end, curious, mischievous, grateful, generous, and more than a little bit wild.
Roseanne is survived by her most dear and wonderful friend, Kim Johnson; her children, Cathy, Jim, and Terry; their spouses, Bill, Michelle, and Steve; her grandchildren, Randy, Elizabeth, Carol, Ben, and Ryan; and two beautiful great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Jack. The family offers a special thank you to Jim McGinley and Kim Johnson for their great kindness and support. The family also wants to thank the staff at The Ridge of Miamisburg and Day City Hospice for their compassion and outstanding care. Thank you all.
The family will receive friends at a later date. Service details will be shared as soon as they are available. Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook is serving the family. If you wish to give a gift in memory, please consider a charitable donation to The Riding Centre Association in Yellow Springs. Condolences at https://www.connerandkoch.com.
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