Joseph H. Owens of Sullivan, Missouri passed away at his home on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at the age of 90 years.
Joe was born at Potosi, Missouri on December 4, 1925 to the late Rev. Leonard and Ollie (Hill) Owens. At the age of 8 the family moved to Sullivan where Joe later gained his first employment as a GRIT Newspaper Boy and had his own route and the age of 10 years old. He graduated from Sullivan High School, Class of 1943 and soon entered military service and honorably served his country during World War II. Joe served with the 775th Army Air Force and his unit was based in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations for 18 months. Joe was responsible for signal equipment at Squadron Headquarters and was trained as a high speed radio operator. He maintained the records of all signal equipment and supplies as to status and location and supervised the work of 30 men. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was decorated with the Victory Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and two Overseas Service Bars. While in the Army, Joe excelled in sports, especially basketball and boxing. His unit would often play in tournaments and was the pride of his squadron. After his discharge, Joe attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He owned and operated the Sullivan Lumber Company for a number of years and eventually sold his interest and founded Meramec Lumber Company. Joe then became a partner of the former Thunderbird Terminal from where he later retired. On September 19, 1948 he was united in marriage to Helen Hombs at Columbia, Missouri and to this marriage three children were born. Helen preceded Joe in death on March 7, 1978. Joe was a Sullivan business pioneer; he was a founding board member of the Sullivan Hospital beginning with the feasibility study committee in 1958. He had been a member of the hospital board until April of 2015. Joe enjoyed the game of golf and was instrumental with other progressive businessmen in Sullivan in the creation of the Sullivan Country Club and became a charter member. He had a joy for flying and was an accomplished pilot. He was a 50 plus year member of the Sullivan Rotary Club and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Joe was also a 50 year member of Sullivan Masonic Lodge 69 AF & AM., and was a former member of the Sullivan School Board. His most beloved membership was that of his church, First Baptist of Sullivan. He was the oldest member having attended there for over 82 years and was the last WW II veteran within the congregation. Joe was known throughout the community as a kind and giving man who was always and foremost a gentleman. He was very knowledgeable and enjoyed learning. Joe was often known to say that his favorite book was the Encyclopedia.
He is survived by his loving companion, Connie Delcour of the family home; one son, Joseph H. Owens II of Sullivan, Missouri; one daughter, Jayne Mastin and husband Ron of Sullivan, Missouri; six grandchildren, Justin Mastin of Sullivan, Missouri, Megan Mastin Schawo and husband Keith of Columbia, Missouri, Alison Owens Bramlett and husband Eric of Austin, Texas, Natalie Owens Moss and husband Robb of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kasey Krygiel of Leslie, Missouri and Abby Krygiel and Tab Arflack of Sullivan, Missouri; 12 great-grandchildren, Chase Mastin, Luke and Kate Schawo, Beck Bramlett, Evan, George, Jack and Thomas Moss, and Mikayla and Emory Wilkinson, Peyton Shepard and Karson Arflack; other relatives and friends.
Along with his parents and wife Helen, Joe was preceded in death by a daughter, Kaye Owens Krygiel; two brothers, Marvin and Lynn Owens; and a sister, Maxine Jones Wulfson.
Funeral services were conducted 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 22, 2016 from the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry. Interment, with Military Honors, was in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4:30 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday at the Eaton Funeral Home (Clark Street location) in Sullivan. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital Fund Raising Charter. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at www.eatonfuneralhome.com