Perry Owens

OTTAWA -- Perry L. Owens, 58, of Ottawa, formerly of Mendota, passed away Sunday, April 6, at Kewanee Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Garry Briesacher officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with military services. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ottawa Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Perry was born Feb. 7, 1950, in Paw Paw, to Lowell and Phyllis (Jacobs) Owens. He married Patricia (Farmer) Zilm on Feb. 14, 1998, in Ottawa. He was the supervisor for the park district for the city of Ottawa. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Junior Eliminator Car Club and he volunteered for the Troy Grove Fire Department. He served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1975. Perry gave the gift of life through tissue donation. Survivors include his wife, Patti; his mother of Ottawa; a daughter, Brandy (Tom Clancy) Escatel of Mendota; a son, Brian Owens of Mendota; four grandchildren, Sylvia and Patrick Escatel and Darci and Dylan Owens; a brother, Gary (Peggy) Owens of Girard, Ill.; and nieces and nephews, Nicole (Matthew) Fischer, Trina Owens and Brett (Lisa) Meisel. He was preceded in death by his father. Pallbearers will be Brian Owens, Bob Blue, Bob Kleinmaier, Greg Farmer, David Swaar, Wayne Eichelkraut Jr., Allan Way and August Lubanowski. "Perry was a loving husband, son, brother, father and grandfather. He was a gentle, caring person with a friendly, outgoing personality who never knew a stranger. He loved his family and friends; who knew him as a man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed life, and was an avid camper and lover of the outdoors. Perry passed away while enjoying a weekend of camping with his wife and their cat, Boo Boo. "He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him." -- Patti