Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Owens, Frederick J. October 18, 1937 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com May 1, 2019, 11:05 pm Sentinel-Std - Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1937 FRED OWENS DIES AT HIS IONIA HOME Had Been a Resident Here Over 30 Years; Former President of Ionia Water Power and Electric Co. Funeral services for Fred Owens, 66, prominent Ionia resident and former business man, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Baptist church. Burial will be at Highland Park cemetery where the Masonic service and Knights Templar escort will be conducted. Rev. E. H. Branch of Grand Rapids former pastor of the Ionia Baptist church will have charge of the church services. The body will lie in state-at the Owens home on Lafayette street until Thursday noon when it will be taken to the Baptist church. Mr. Owens died at his Lafayette street home at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon. Arising at his usual early hour, he ate a good breakfast and was apparently in his usual health shortly afterword , he complained of feeling ill and after a physician was called he was continued to his bed. He suffered a heart attack at about 10 o'clock but was feeling better in the afternoon. His death came suddenly at about 3 o'clock. He was born in New York state October 28, 1870, the son of Rev. and Mrs. David Owens. Coming to Michigan at the age of seven he settled with his parents at Leslie. During his early youth the family resided in several Michigan towns, including Sheridan, Crystal and Carson City, where his father held pastorate. Mr. Owens entered the electric business while residing in Carson City, where he managed the Rockafellow power plant. He moved to Lyons about 1900 when the Wagar dam was swept out during one of the large floods. In 1904 he moved to Ionia where he became identified with he Ionia Water Power and Electric company. Being of indefatigable character, he worked his way up through various positions with the Ionia company until he became president and general manager. He held this position until the company was sold in 1926 to the Consumers Power company. For several years thereafter he was connected with the administration of Ionia city affairs in the capacity of city poor commissioner and city electrician. While residing in Carson City Mr. Owens married Wildo Huggins of that city. To this union one son, Gordon, was born, who died in October 1918. In Omaha Nebraska, of flu while in the service of the United States during the world war. His wife preceded him in death in March 1936. During the year 1918 he not only suffered the loss of his only child but also his father and sister. Always of a jovial nature, Mr. Owens won the friendship of many people in all walks of life, and was loved admired and respected. In the past two years he has traveled much in European countries and the United States to rehabilitate himself from the loss of his many loved ones. Since his trip abroad he has taken much enjoyment in traveling about the county telling various church and civic groups of his travels in European countries, especially Jerusalem. Always a keen student of United states history he also spoke to many groups on places of civil war interest he had visited. After returning from his European trip Mr. Owens purchased a farm in Ronald township where he has since resided. This fall he was persuaded by friends to give up his country home and turn to Ionia. He sold his farm and equipment two weeks ago and returned last week to his Lafayette street home, home where he anticipated enjoying the winter months. Although not a member of the Baptist church he always contributed and helped to support that organization and was a firm believer in immortality. During his career he was an active worker in the circles of Masonic bodies and was a thirty-second degree Mason. He was a member of the Ionia Blue ldoge No. 6, Chapter No. 14, Council No. 12, Commandery No. 11, and the DeWitt-Clinton Consistory of Grand Rapids. He was also a member of the Queen Esther chapter, No. 35. Order of the Eastern Star, and the Ronald Grange. He is survived by his step-mother, Mrs. Carrie Owens of Flint, three half sisters and one half brother, Mrs. Addie Crawford of Crystal, Mrs. Ruth Pelton of Flint, Mrs. George Barth of Yale, and Lloyd Owens of Owosso. Additional Comments: Age: 66 Funeral: Thursday, 21 October 1937 Highland Park cemetery #1-3 b. Farmersville, Cattarugus Co. NY son of David Owens & Adelaide (Austin) marr: 27 Sept. 1891 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/o/owens9424gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb