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Service:
A “Celebration of Life” Service will be held at
Faith Assembly in Lincoln on January 9th, 2020 at
11:00 a.m.
Funeral home: Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home
Obituary
William Richard “Dick” Owens
passed away peacefully in the ALMH in Lincoln on
December 5, 2020 at 9:40 a.m. Cremation rites have
been accorded by Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home.
Dick was born on January 8, 1938 to James and Lola
Owens of DuQuoin, Illinois. Both parents tragically
died in 1949. Dick was eleven years old and he and
his two older sisters went to live with their
maternal grandparents, William Irvin and Maggie
Eakin and their Aunt Myrtle Eakin. They ALL lived
together in a four-room house in the countryside.
Grandpa's faith and outlook on life was, "GOD WILL
PROVIDE". And HE always did.
Dick attended a one-room, one-teacher school through
8th grade and went on to graduate from DuQuoin High
School in 1955.
On May 13, 1961 Dick married Dana
Louis. They had one beautiful daughter, Fadra Mone.
She cost $8.25…. born in Anniston, Alabama where
Dick served his country in the U.S. Army, the 82nd
Airborne, between 1958- 1962.
Dick lived in Clinton, and worked for the Illinois
Central Railroad for almost 30 years and retired. He
also lived in Wapella and Kenny. He was a Deputy
Sheriff in DeWitt County for ten years and retired.
He moved to Lincoln in 1998. He
became a driver for Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital's CARE-A-VAN service for five years and
then finally, really retired!!
In by-gone days Dick was a man of many talents. He
trapped and skinned game for pelts, hunted ginseng
in the woods and eagerly anticipated "deer seasons"
each year… bow; pistol; shotgun….he was 'Johnny on
the spot'!
Dick loved
woodworking…refurbishing antique furniture or
reclaiming old barn wood and beams. Many houses,
past and present, have his carpentry talent on
display.
He got his first Harley Davidson
motorcycle at age 38. He did a solo road trip and
travelled thru 47 continental States.
He was an avid gardener and a pro
at canning the produce. He cut down and chopped up
many old trees for firewood, using an axe, wedges
and a heavy maul. |
Dick met Deborah Hoyt in 2002 after
she had moved from Africa to Lincoln. They were
married in 2005. Dick like to brag that Deb never
found Tarzan in Africa, but she got a "Mountain Man"
instead!
Dick was blessed with a loving
family, many good friends and a lifetime of
wonderful memories His greatest love in life was for
his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dick never met a stranger and many
people that he met on life's highway were touched by
his evangelistic heart. He always spoke up and stood
up for truth and godliness---like it or not! Anyone
who ever met Dick, would not forget him.
He was a member of Faith Assembly
Church of God in Lincoln, but he enjoyed fellowship
with many Christian friends in other area churches
too. God's family was his family – no matter where.
Dick lived a full, exciting life.
He always credited God's goodness for living 82
years! He may have lost the 24-month battle with
esophagus cancer, but he won the victory in Jesus
and a crown of life! He was truly ready to "go
home"! Hallelujah!
Dick is survived by daughter, Fadra Ruenger and
son-in-law Russell Ruenger of Bloominton;
Granddaughter, Casie Labhart (husband Jason Labhart)
of O'Fallen, MO; two great-granddaughters, Phoebe
and Vivian Page; step great-grandsons, Carter and
Spencer Labhart; sister, Charlene Sawyer and
brother-in-law Ronnie Sawyer of Christopher; Step
granddaughters, Stephanie MacDonald and T.J. Ruenger;
Step great-grandchildren, Noah Ruenger, Draven
MacDonald;
Wife, his beloved 'African Queen', Deborah Ellen
(Hoyt) Owens;
Brother-in-law, John Hoyt, Jr. and Sister-in-law,
Maria Hoyt.
There will be a private cremation and interment in
the DuQuoin area where his parents are buried.
A “Celebration of Life” Service
will be held at Faith Assembly in Lincoln on January
9th, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the
family of William Richard “Dick” Owens |
