Donald Eugene Owen, 88, passed from this life into eternal life on Monday, September 30, 2024. Don was born on June 26,1936 in Wichita, Kansas to Jess and Beulah (Sheffield) Owen. He joined an older sister, Phyllis. The family later moved outside of Independence, Kansas where Don attended Maple Grove Elementary until the eighth grade at Grabham Station. During these years, Don had many fond memories of his classmates and meeting his future wife, Jeanette. Don went on to graduate from high school in Independence and then attended Independence Community College and Kansas State University. Don left college early to marry the love of his life, Jeanette Elaine Moore, on December 20,1958. Don and Jeanette spent fifty years together and had three children David, Dana, and Jennifer.

Don went on to use his electrical training at York Electric and Archer Daniels Midland for five years each, then the family moved to Smith Center where Don worked as a wireman and a lineman for Jewell-Mitchell Cooperative for 30 years. After Don retired he enjoyed driving a school bus for USD 237 for several years, wood-carving, fishing, boating, and building and flying remote control airplanes.

At the age of 40 Don went forward during a church service and accepted Christ as his personal savior. He enjoyed serving his local church as an usher, deacon, elder, board member and chairman. He attended Promise Keepers events for several years. Don felt that his greatest accomplishment in life was his belief in Jesus, and marrying Jeanette. He called her his “one in a million.” His greatest wish in life is that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will love each other and serve God.

Don is survived by his children David (Shelly) Owen of Baldwin City, Dana (Duane) Hughes of Smith Center, and Jennifer (Lorin) Corbett of Kensington, eleven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.