- Date Of Birth: June 11, 1923
- Date Of Death: February 21, 2018
- State: Illinois
George Albert Owens, 94, of Centralia, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family. George was born on June 11, 1923, in Central City, the son of Paul Kennison Owens and Aleida (Jansen) Owens. He married Genevieve “Genny” West on April 8, 1945, in Centralia and she preceded him in death on June 21, 2017.
George is survived by five children: Marcia Owens Atchison and husband Bob of Centralia, Ron Owens and wife Nancy of Florida, Doug Owens and wife Karen of Salem, David Owens and wife Stacey of Florida, and John Owens and wife Radica of Florida; 14 grandchildren: Eric Atchison, Jessica Duzan and husband Jerry, Jennifer Francois and husband Ricky, Angie Wood and husband Donnie, Christie Rickert and husband Matthew, Aaron Owens and wife Haley, Corey Owens and wife Whitney, Shaunda Bundy and husband Derek, Matt Owens, Ryan Owens and wife Ashley, Dustin Owens and wife Cara, Daniel Owens and wife Vanessa, Rachel Owens, and Alycia Owens; 20 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Joel Pendegraft and Maureen Watkins for their loving and exceptional care of our father and grandfather. George was preceded in death by his parents: Paul and Aleida Owens, his wife of 72 years Genevieve “Genny” Owens, and one sister Dorothy Sutherland.
After graduation from Centralia Township High School, George was a draftsman at the IL Central Railroad. He entered the oil business, worked as a Geologist, and eventually became an oil producer in Kentucky. In 1963 he moved his family back to Central City. He was Mayor of Central City, a charter member of the Central City Lions Club, and a member of First Baptist Church in Centralia. George and Genny owned and operated Merz Vault Company from 1965-1979. He also spent many years as co-owner of Hillcrest Memorial Park with his late sister, Dorothy Sutherland.
