Allan George Eitzen, 80, of Lititz, Pa., died of cancer on August 31, 2008. He was born May 25, 1928, to Agatha Warkentin Eitzen and George P. Eitzen of Mountain Lake, Minnesota.

After studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, Allan moved to Scottdale, PA to work as an illustrator for Herald Press. At the publishing company, he met a young woman, Ruth Carper, who was developing educational materials. Only a month later, Ruth left for 4 years in Europe to work for Mennonite Central Committee. Allan kept in contact with her by mail and, after her return to the US, they married (July 12, 1954). In the meantime, he had earned a degree in illustration at Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts).

Allan and his wife moved to a country home in Barto, PA, and had five children. He supported the family as a freelance illustrator of children's books, magazines, and textbooks, and was kept busy caring for the country property and acting as family chauffeur. When the kids left home, he had more time to devote to his artistic medium of choice, printmaking.

Allan continued working professionally as an illustrator until 2007, and as a printmaker almost to the time of his death. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Allan was passionate about literature, classical music and jazz, travel and, above all, his family. His sense of fun, his optimism, and his enthusiastic spirit will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his five children – Hilda, Dirk, Ann, Laura and John – and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on September 28, at 3:00 (with visitation beginning at 2:00), at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, 432 E. Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel Inc. Lititz, PA  560 -5100. To send an online condolence, Please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com.