James Owen

James E. Owen, 91, of Rushville, passed away at 8:50 AM, Thursday, March 29, 2018, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born on December 28, 1926, in Deer Ridge, Missouri, the son of James E. and Nena Maureen (Wildman) Owen, Sr..  He married Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Smith on February 21, 1947, at the home of her parents in La Belle, Missouri and she survives.

Also surviving are three children Larry Owen and partner Diana Rounds of Rushville, Jeffrey Owen of Springfield, and Elizabeth "Liz" Ingles and husband Jon of Camden, daughter-in-law Debbie Woodard and husband Steve of St. Louis, Missouri, 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, a brother-in-law Harlan Smith and wife Dorothy of Paola, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a son Richard “Rick” Owen, a grandson Adam Maliongas, a brother David Owen and wife Maxine, a sister Leota “Sally” Best and husband Robert, and a sister-in-law Martha Jean Lay and husband Delbert.

Jim graduated from La Belle High School and entered the United States Navy, serving from March 2, 1945 to August 26, 1946.  He first farmed with his dad and other farmers in Lewis County, Missouri, before moving to Chicago.  In Chicago, he farmed and worked for the VandenBoom Farm and also David Forsythe.  In 1954, his family moved to Rushville, where he worked on the Hess Farm as a dairyman and farmer.  In 1960, he began his career with Rushville Farmer’s Elevator and retired from Schuyler–Brown FS in 1988.  After retirement, he worked part-time at Bartlow Brothers in Rushville, for the next 8 years.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rushville and served as Master of the Rushville Lodge # 9 A.F. & A.M..  He was a coach for Rushville Little League.  He enjoyed gardening, camping, bank pole fishing, and hunting.  His family was his greatest treasure.  He was always the first one there to support and help his family in any way he could.  Family events and attending his children and grandchildren’s events were special times to him.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery, with military rites by the US Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Schuyler American Legion Post #4.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Memorials are suggested to Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation or Hope Blooms.