Benjamin Layle Owen
December 24, 1922 — June 5, 2012
Ben Owen
Benjamin Layle Owen, WWII Veteran, USAF pilot, and Police Judge of Derby, KS, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at his home in Eureka. He was 89 years old.
He was born on December 24, 1922 in Nashville, Kansas, the son of John William and Emma Clara (Kuehn) Owen. He was raised in Nashville, and graduated from Nashville High School. After graduation, he began working for Stearman Aircraft, which later led him to work for Boeing Aircraft. He joined the United States Air Force, and graduated from the Cadet Academy on November 20, 1944. He served in the United States Air Force in the South Pacific and South America.
Upon discharge he began working for the Wichita Police Department and later graduated Wichita State University. He was a police judge for the City of Derby and a 32-year employee of Boeing. On February 18, 1975, Ben was united in marriage to Diana Sue Doyle in Hutchinson, KS, where they made their home.
He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, a charter member of VFW Post #7253 of Derby, and a life member of VFW Post #2712 of Eureka.
Ben is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diana of the home; daughter, Christine and husband, Fred Mattal of Pratt; son, Ben Owen, Jr. of Wichita; daughter, Carrie and husband, Perry Helmkamp of Springdale, Arkansas; daughter, Jamie and husband, Vince Burnett of Rose Hill; daughter, Emma and husband, Jason Denner of Bentonville, Arkansas; and daughter, Anna Owen of Wichita; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Clarence LaVerne “Andy” Owen of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved grandson and fellow pilot Mason Baker; and brother, Dr. LaRue Owen.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, with Pastor Dan Myers and Pastor Dennis Fangmeyer of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Cremation will be effected following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Missions or to St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
Benjamin Layle Owen, WWII Veteran, USAF pilot, and Police Judge of Derby, KS, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at his home in Eureka. He was 89 years old.
He was born on December 24, 1922 in Nashville, Kansas, the son of John William and Emma Clara (Kuehn) Owen. He was raised in Nashville, and graduated from Nashville High School. After graduation, he began working for Stearman Aircraft, which later led him to work for Boeing Aircraft. He joined the United States Air Force, and graduated from the Cadet Academy on November 20, 1944. He served in the United States Air Force in the South Pacific and South America.
Upon discharge he began working for the Wichita Police Department and later graduated Wichita State University. He was a police judge for the City of Derby and a 32-year employee of Boeing. On February 18, 1975, Ben was united in marriage to Diana Sue Doyle in Hutchinson, KS, where they made their home.
He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, a charter member of VFW Post #7253 of Derby, and a life member of VFW Post #2712 of Eureka.
Ben is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diana of the home; daughter, Christine and husband, Fred Mattal of Pratt; son, Ben Owen, Jr. of Wichita; daughter, Carrie and husband, Perry Helmkamp of Springdale, Arkansas; daughter, Jamie and husband, Vince Burnett of Rose Hill; daughter, Emma and husband, Jason Denner of Bentonville, Arkansas; and daughter, Anna Owen of Wichita; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Clarence LaVerne “Andy” Owen of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved grandson and fellow pilot Mason Baker; and brother, Dr. LaRue Owen.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, with Pastor Dan Myers and Pastor Dennis Fangmeyer of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Cremation will be effected following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Missions or to St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
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