HomeFrank J. Owens
6/23/09 Frank J. Owens
Frank Jefferson Owens, 84, of Herrin Illinois, left for his Final Flight on June 23, 2009 at 12:26 a.m. in Herrin, surrounded by his loving family.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin, Illinois. Rev. Don Colson and Rev. Bruce Peffer officiating. Interment with military graveside rites will be in Franklin Cemetery at Whittington Illinois. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2009 at the funeral home.
Frank was born September 13, 1924 in Benton Illinois to William Edward (Ed) Owens and Delsia (Melvin) Owens.
Frank served in the Army Air Corp, 305th Bomb Group, 422nd Squadron in Chelveston England from 1944-1945 flying 35 missions. He was a T/Sgt. Top Turret Gunner on B17 Bombers.
After his discharge from the military, he returned to Franklin County and married Evelyn Wilkerson on October 3, 1945 in Benton Illinois. They were divorced in 1971. He married Geraldine Mitchell (Peffer) on April 25, 1973 in Herrin Illinois.
Frank was considered a genius by family and closest friends. As great granddaughter Mallory said one day, "My grandpa can fix anything." He was a 'jack of all trades" and master of most. All someone had to do was tell him what they had in mind and how they planned to use it-he would make it. He remodeled many of the homes around Valier where he lived for many years raising his family. He served as a Boy Scout Master for the troop in Valier when his sons were younger. He remembered the members of the troop fondly after more than 50 years, naming all the boys.
Frank had been employed by the Franklin County Road Dept and he worked at Norge (Maytag) until 1965. He retired from Container Stapling in 1986. He worked for Grady Dryden for several years doing what he loved most - working outdoors. His last job was with Diagraph-Bradley where he retired again at the age of 79. Also during this time he was working for and helping anyone with needs. He was over 80 years old when he helped build his daughter's pole barn house. He was a member of the Christopher Izaak Walton Club where he enjoyed fishing and camping.
Frank was a Spirit-filled Christian. He raised his family in the First Baptist Church of Valier where he served as Sunday School and Training Union teacher over the years. He helped build the Valier church in the 1960s. He was a member of the Southern Illinois Worship Center where he sat under the ministry of Rev. Elvin Ervin. He considered Bro. Ervin a special friend. His greatest desire was to know that all of his family and loved ones were saved and loved the Lord as much as he did. He closed every prayer with "I love you, Lord!"
Frank was recognized in the local news a couple different times. Once for building a house boat in his garage. He started off with some plywood and styrofoam peanuts in his garage on South 28th Street in Herrin. When he finished he had a 28 ft. houseboat that contained a bathroom with stool and shower, a kitchen with sink, ice box and cabinets, a sofa bed, and "Murphy bed". Countless hours of fun were enjoyed by his family and friends on Crab Orchard Lake. Again he was featured as a Good Neighbor and he was pictured with shelves of the fruits and vegetables he had canned and readily shared with everyone. He received a special recognition by the U.S. Marshalls for his participation in the recapture of an escaped inmate from the Marion U.S. Penitentiary. In 2004 he was the subject of an article in the Clinton Illinois newspaper that the headline read "80 year old man works like a 40 year old." Frank amazed everyone around him for years for the way he worked and his physical strength until his health began to fail two years ago.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Geraldine Owens; his children, Sandra S. Peffer (Garry) of Mulkeytown IL, Gary L. Owens (Dorothy) of Mt. Juliet TN, Jerry D. Owens of Benton, Teresea K. Owens of Oswego IL. He was also Dad or Pop to Garry W. Peffer Sr. (Sandra) of Mulkeytown IL, Janet R. Rash (Mike) of Herrin, Bruce A. Peffer (Pamela) of Plumfield.
He is survived by 13 Grandchildren: Aaron Webster, Melissa Volanti, Dan Weldon, Garry Peffer Jr., Allison Fuller, Christen Owens, and Justin Logan Owens, Lisa Miles, Hope Crider, Dana Carpenter, Crystal Coleman, Jessica Crider, and Ashley Byrley, and 26 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild expected in July.
He is survived by two sisters, Margaret Baysinger and Bluebell Tate, both of Benton; several nieces and nephews, very special friend Gilbert Hanks, and his dog Lucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Frank J. Owens Jr.; grandson, Le Don Owens; brothers, Felix Owens, Woodrow Owens, sisters, Nadine Padgett and Helen Gaskell.