Obituary of Wanda Owen

WANDA LAVERNE OWEN Wanda Laverne Owen, 89, Centralia, MO passed away at her home peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, January 5, 2022. She was born August 22, 1932 in Noel, MO the daughter of the late Lee M. Gayler and Louie Lavene (Gourley) Gayler. Wanda met her husband in Joplin, MO and on October 3, 1952 she was united in marriage to John Alfred Owen, Springfield, MO. She later lived in Springfield, MO and then finally moved to Centralia, MO in 2020. Her husband John preceded her in death on January 14, 2021. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three children Virginia Ann (Ginger) Owen of Columbia, MO, Dr Nellie Kathleen Owen, DVM of Centralia, MO and Douglas Wilson Owen and his wife Billie of Miller, MO; one sister Barbara Isgrigg of Joplin, MO; two grandchildren John Robert Owen and Douglas Martin Owen and his wife Amanda; one great grandchild John Ichigo Owen and several more great grandchildren; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her husband John Alfred Owen, one brother Cleve Gayler; three sisters Orissa Doyle, Twyla Smith, Sharon Cogbill, and a granddaughter, Maria Ann Owen, preceded her in death. Wanda worked as a bookkeeper for her husband’s business John Owen Drilling Co and was a stay-at-home mom, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a member of the Springfield Rebekah’s Lodge where she served as Past Nobel Grand. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed cooking and sewing. Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at the Patterson Cemetery in Springfield, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Be The Change Volunteers, c/o Oliver Funeral Home, P.O. Box 125, Centralia, MO 65240. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net