Jean R. Owen

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, after a long struggle with dementia, Jean Ruth Owen, 90, of St. Joseph, formerly of Bay City, Mich., peacefully left her loved ones for her new life in Our Lord's Heavenly Kingdom. She had been residing at Caretel Inns of St. Joseph.

Jean was born on April 29, 1933, in Cheboygan, Mich., during the Great Depression. Her family moved to Muskegon, Mich., where she graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1951. She continued her education earning her certificate as an X-ray technician. In 1966, Jean moved her family to Bay City where she worked as an X-ray technician at Bay City Samaritan Hospital. She loved working with the patients and also made many good friends among her co-workers.

She was active in Welcome Wagon, volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels and was the Brownie Girl Scouts leader for her two daughters, Patty and Barb. Jean loved to dance and one night while out dancing, she met her soon-to-be husband John Owen, a high school English teacher. After a wonderful year of dating, they married on April 4, 1981.

John and Jean decided to leave their established careers to open a portrait studio. In 1990, they moved to Portage, Mich., and established D'Elegance Studio and Gallery, where Jean functioned as the studio manager. Active in the Professional Photographers of Michigan, they also co-founded the Great Lakes Institute of Professional Photography, where Jean served as executive secretary. In 2004, Jean received the National Award for Outstanding Services to the Profession.

Jean was active in her church both in Bay City and St. Joseph, where she volunteered on the prayer shawl ministry committee. In Jean's spare time, she loved to travel and go cruising on their sailboat. Jean was a loving, devoted and selfless mom to her children and treasured her time spent with her children and family.

Jean is survived by her husband of 42 years, John Owen; children: Michael (Myra) Campsmith of Federal Way, Wash., Pam (Richard) Scarbrough of Nashville, Tenn., Barbara (Kenny) Campsmith of Las Vegas, and Lisa (Steven) Burgoyne of Carmel, Maine.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Andy, Paul and Dale.

A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, at St. Augustine's Epsicopal Church, 1753 Union Ave., Benton Harbor, with the Rev. Karen Joy Kelly officiating. Friends may visit with Jean's family on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www. starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 556-9450.