Donald Wilson Owen

Donald Wilson Owen, 90, Schell City, the oldest child of Albert Chalmers and Cora Elizabeth (Dieter) Owen was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Maysville, and passed from this life at 3:28 a.m. Wednesday, morning, Dec. 30, 2009, at the Cedar County Memorial
Hospital in El Dorado Springs.

Throughout his life, Don accomplished many things. He graduated from both high school and college and was a school teacher for a time. He worked for the ASCS office, ran a road grader to build reservoirs and lived in Australia for the time he owned and operated his own business.

He was the first soldier from DeKalb County to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served his country both at home and abroad in campaigns in the Western Pacific, Papua, East Indies and New Guinea. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge and American Defense Service Ribbon.

He became an airplane pilot at the age of 60 and owned his own plane. He also built large scale model airplanes. He loved boating and even built himself a sailboat. He was an avid reader and a skilled wood craftsman and artist.

For the last several years, he attended the Schell City Christian church and faithfully read his Bible every night.

On Jan. 20, 1987, Don was united in marriage to Rachel Lee Applegate and they enjoyed 22 years together. In all their years together, Rachel Lee never heard Don say a cuss word, how about that? Don always moved forward to discover new things in his life.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John H. Owen.

Survivors include his wife, Rachel Lee Owen, of the home in Schell City; one son, Anthony Owen, and his wife, Cheng – Canberra, Australia; one step-son, Larry Applegate, and his wife, Marla – Schell City; one step-daughter, Peggy Applegate – Great Falls, MT; two brothers, Harold D. (Joe) Owen – Cameron, and Albert A. (Art) Owen, and his wife, Jurene – Liberty; one sister, Ruth Alberta Patrick – Sparks, NV; three grandchildren – Louis, James and Adrienne Owen – all of Canberra, Australia; five step-grandchildren, Frank and Fred Carlton, Keri Hold and Kristi and Justin Applegate; 14 step-great-grandchildren; six step-great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Services were held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in the Schell City Christian Church with Brother Paul Thorade and Brother Marvin Jamison officiating. Musical selections were provided by Paula Gray and Sharon Goodman. Interment with military honors followed at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City.

Pallbearers were Frank and Fred Carlton, Justin Applegate, George Hold, Sam Vantellman, Dennis Vantellman and Rob McKinney. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Allison, Joe Frieze, Ron Shutters, Grady Davis and James Heath.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.