George W. Owens, 86, of Clearfield died Friday at the Clearfield Hospital. Born on Feb. 1, 1925, he was the son of the late Elmer S. and Leah F. (Walther) Owens.
Mr. Owens was protestant by faith.
In 1989, he retired as the Lawrence Township Tax Collector after 28 years of service. He was a plumber by trade.
He was a member of the Clearfield American Legion Post #6 and the Clearfield VFW Post # 1785. He also served as commander of the combined firing squad for military honors after 27 years he retired as an active Army Reservist.
Mr. Owens was a member of the Old Town Sportsmen’s Association, Sparkling Springs Hunting and Fishing Club, Mount Joy Grange, Clearfield/Lawrence Airport Authority, a life member of the Lawrence Township Fire Co., Station 5 and served as a member on the Clearfield Area School Board.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in European Theater and the 3rd Army.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed snowmobiling, animals, volunteering for the SPCA and gardening where he grew the biggest pumpkins.
Mr. Owens is survived by his wife, Helen Jean (Shifter), whom he married on Jan. 17, 1948; six children, Grace A. Swanson and her husband, Edwin, of Curwensville; Frances L. Lawhead and her husband, Randall, of Clearfield; Gloria J. Aarness and her husband, Bruce, of Tomah, WI; Edith M. Starr and her husband, Kenneth, of Clearfield; Richard W. Owens and his companion, Robin; and Harold L. Owens of Clearfield; a daughter-in-law, Brenda G. (Lippart) Owens of Clearfield; 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 5 great great-grandchildren and two sisters, Ellen Evans of Clearfield and Martha Jette of New Egypt, NJ and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Owens was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Edward J. Owens, whom passed away in August 2009 and two sisters; Marion Darrow and Donna Zimmerman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home Inc., Clearfield with Pastor Kenneth Leonard officiating. Interment will be in Mount Joy Cemetery. ‘
Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and Veterans of Foreign Wars F. Michael Sicks Post No. 1785 Honor Guard.
Friends will be received at the funeral home from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the hour of services Wednesday.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Veterans or the Old Town Sportsman Association of Clearfield, PA., P.O. Box 804, Clearfield, PA 16830-0804.
To send an online tribute, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.