Reverend Eugene E. Owsley, 94, of Ottawa passed away on December 10, 2023, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held on Friday December 15th at noon with Pastor Alex Cross officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors presented by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.
Eugene was born on October 15, 1929, the son of Roy and Nellie (Coleman) Owsley, in Chicago. He married Patricia Ann Fox on September 27, 1949, in Franklin Park, Illinois. Eugene proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy before being called to a life of ministry. He graduated from the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and was the pastor of Mannheim Baptist church in Melrose Park before retiring after 26 years. He was a member of the American Baptist Convention USA. Eugene had several hobbies of interest which included woodworking, coin collecting, ink drawing, model trains, and slot cars. He enjoyed being outside and going camping and fishing. More than anything, Eugene loved his family and cherished his time spent with them.
Eugene is survived by his children, Pam (Ralph) Malec, Kathy Lattimore, Ruth Anne Lloyd and Cyndi Poitra; grandchildren, Bob and Staci Woodrum, Sasa Musikiwamba, Dan Lloyd, Aire and Dakota Poitra; great grandchildren, Henry and Audrey Woodrum, Drew Stephens, and Idris Musikiwamba. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Owsley, four siblings, and a son in law, Cletis Poitra.
Rev. Eugene was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Inspiration.