Charles Owens, 84

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Charles Pelham Owens, 84, of Greenville, died on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, surrounded by his family at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. 

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, at Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville. The funeral service will begin at noon, officiated by Patrick Bland.  Burial will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Greenville. Assalley Funeral Homes in Greenville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Owens was born on Aug. 11, 1937, in Havana, AR, the son of Jasper and Ella Irene (Dewitt) Owens. He joined the United States Air Force on July 17, 1957, and was stationed at Larson Air Force Base in Washington, where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  He married Myrtle Dee Owens (Bell) on Oct. 14, 1966, in East St. Louis.

They moved to O’Fallon, where they resided for many years before they fulfilled their dream of living in the country in Greenville. Mr. Owens was an over-the-road truck driver who traveled hundreds of thousands of miles over 50 years.  He loved his family with his entire heart and soul and wasn’t shy about telling anyone how proud he was of them.  He never knew a stranger and could talk for hours to anyone. 

Mr. Owens is survived by a daughter, Rita Carlile of Greenville; five grandchildren, Deanne (Kenneth) Dowdy, Peggy (Brian) Bielong, Vicki (Allan) Casey, Alex Carlile and Iziah Carlile; five great grandchildren, Allison, Kenneth Jr., Kaitlyn, Timmy and Carter; a sister, Reba (Donnie) Johnson; two additional children, Sharon Knipe and Carol Melton; two additional grandchildren, Ryan and Shelley; and special friend, Darla Petchulat.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four sisters; and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.