Howard F Owen

Howard F. Owen, 81, of Sioux City died Monday May 8, 2006, at Hallmark Care Center following a brief illness.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with Chaplain Marie Lykken of Hospice of Siouxland officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Monahan Post 64. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mr. Owen was born Jan. 25, 1925, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of William and Mildred (Sigafoos) Owen. He moved to Sioux City in 1942 and graduated from Central High School in June 1943. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II and in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He served a total of eight years in the U.S. Navy.

Early on, he worked for Sports Service Inc., supervising 30 drive-in theaters as well as nine Roe Dairy Stores. He was most known as a private detective since 1947. He started Owen Detective Service in 1954. He also worked for North Central and Republic Airlines for 26 years, retiring in 1982. He moved to Browns Lake, Salix, Iowa, in 1977.

He enjoyed feeding the birds year round. Every Spring, he also got a kick out of mushroom hunting. He was a frequent caller on several radio talk shows. He enjoyed volunteering. He was a repeat bellringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He held many offices locally and nationally. He also belonged to the 40 & 8 Knights of Pythias, the Siouxland Barbershop Chorus and the Iowa Association of Private Investigators. He was a life trustee of the Children's Veterans of Foreign Wars Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich. He was a sous director and national committeeman for youth sports in the 40 & 8.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Steve J. and Cindy Owen of Anthon, Iowa, Sue and Roger Horsley of Lawton, Iowa, Dan K. and Jean Owen of Sioux City and Tim and MaryBeth Owen of Salix, Iowa; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Owen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and a sister, Mary Louise Fisher of Council Bluffs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and two brothers, Clifford and Robert.

Pallbearers will be Richard Owen, Donald Owen Sr., Jonathan S. Owen, Ron Davis, Scott Florke and Jessie Krug.

Memorials may be given in his name to youth sports programs with the 40 & 8 or to the Hallmark Care Center in Sioux City.