Wayne Owen, 80, of Cecil, passed away at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016.
Wayne was born in Mattoon on New Year’s Day 1936, the son of the late George and Edna (Pollock) Owen. He was a graduate of Mattoon High School, and shortly after graduation entered into military service in the United States Marine Corps. During his military service, he married Lois Wood in Birnamwood.
His entire career was dedicated to engineering and machining, and he was employed by various paper manufacturing industries in the area. His crowning achievement was being asked to travel to China as the consultant on a paper materials processing plant to be built from the ground up. He did so, overseeing everything from the design of the building to the training the workers. Lois was able to be in China with him for part of this time.
Wayne had a brilliant mind for machines of all kinds, loved anything that had an engine or motor. He literally was Mr. Fix-It and could dismantle and reassemble anything from a motor boat to a computer. He loved hunting and motor sports of all kinds. Wayne also had an artistic side and was an accomplished photographer.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lois Owen, of Cecil; three children, Dale (Nancy) Owen, of Neenah, Julie Owen and her companion, Anthony Burkett, of DeForest, and Nadine (Rick) Nichols, of St. Augustine, Florida; seven grandchildren, Heather (Tyler) Hutchison, Holly Owen and her fiancé, Todd Haleen, Amanda Owen and her fiancé, Clint Shank, Jeremy (Stephanie) Owen, Zak Owen, Nick Sommerfeld and Sam Sommerfeld. The great-grandchildren are Finn, Henry, Easton, Abby, Rafe, Stevie, Jordyn and Layla. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Iris (Joe) Steinke and Dayne Owen, and three brothers-in-law, Jim (Aggie) Wood, Roger (Stella) Wood and Dan Wood.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Hope; and his six siblings, Calvin (Mabel) Owen, Jack (Vivian) Owen, Wesley Owen, Jim (Karen) Owen, Isabelle (Arleigh) Hutchins and Jean (Floyd) Klemp.
The funeral service for Wayne will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 124 W. 10th St., Kaukauna, with the Rev. Levi Willms and Rev. Steven Pockat officiating. Full military honors for Wayne will follow the service, and interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Mattoon. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from noon until the time of the service.
For more information, or to share a memory of Wayne, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.
Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and was the patriarch of the entire Owen family. We all feel honored to have been part of his life and know that Dad will always be there for each of us. He was admired by all and everyone who knew Wayne was blessed by their friendship. We will miss you, Dad.
Wichmann and Fargo Funeral Homes
www.wichmannfargo.com
Categories
