Jerald Owens

OTTUMWA — Jerald Dean “Pete” Owens, 81, of Ottumwa, passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at the Hospice House in Ottumwa.Jerald was born the son of Samuel Phillip and Alta Mae Casady Owens on Jan. 15, 1926 in rural Putnam County, Mo. He married Jeanette Hope on April 10, 1948 in Macon, Mo.Jerald joined the U.S. Army towards the end of World War II and was a paratrooper for the 11th Airborne during the war.He was a member of Willard Street United Methodist Church and had worked at John Deere until his retirement in 1983. He was also a member of American Legion where he received lots of military honors. Jerald loved going to the W.W. II reunions and was a member of Isaac Walton Club where he liked to go hunting and trap shoot, in which he won many trophies. He also loved to fish with Jeanette and go bike riding.Jerald is survived by his three children, Phil (Shirley) Owens from Oskaloosa, Mary (Jack) Mitchell from Ottumwa and Karen (Steve) White also from Ottumwa; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Katie Hope from Burlington, Iowa and one sister, Jean Polson from Unionville, Mo.He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeanette Owens; and his half sister, Marcella Clark.Visitation was held Tuesday at the Shrine of Memories Funeral Home in Ottumwa from 12-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-7:30 p.m.Funeral services will be held Wednesday at the Willard Street United Methodist Church at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Charles Luers officiating. The burial will be held at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa. There will be a lunch held at the church immediately following the burial.Memorials may be made to Wapello County Hospice or the Willard Street Methodist Church.Shrine of Memories Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Obituary may be viewed at: www.legacy.com/ottumwacourier/Obituaries.asp