Obituary of Russell E. Owen, Jr.

Bedford – Russell E. Owen, Jr., of Bedford, passed away unexpectedly at 12;12 pm on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at I.U. Health Bloomington Hospital. Born November 1, 1937, in Bedford, he was the son of Russell E. Owen, Sr. and Ruby C. (Love) Owen. He married Kay Sanders and she preceded him in death after thirty-one years of marriage. He later married Lahoma Hatfield on May 2, 1992, and she survives. Russ was a graduate of Bedford High School with the class of 1955 and Purdue University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a jet pilot. He was the builder and overseer of Pay-N-Packit/IGA where he worked alongside his father. He was a co-owner and commercial real estate broker with Williams Carpenter Realtors and the former owner of the Stone City Mall. He developed the Shandell Drive area, and Greentree and Overlook Condominiums. He was a member of the First Christian Church and Gillen Post #33 American Legion. After his retirement, he enjoyed spending the winter months in Ft. Myers, FL. Survivors include his wife, Lahoma; two daughters, Debra Kay Shaw and husband, David, and Melissa Mae Moerchen and fiancé, David Crabtree; sons, Russell Jay Owen and wife, Lynn, John P. Beyers and wife, Letha, Timothy Bruce Beyers, and Joe Hall; grandsons, Nicolas Michael Sexton, Nathanial Andrew Sexton, Jacob Christopher Sexton, Chad Allen Zirzow, Evan Cole Beyers, Nicholas Beyers; granddaughters, Jennifer Brooke Weesner, Morgan Kay Bender, Madelyn Christine Hamsley, Shalin BreAnne Stroud, Shelby Nakaila Reeder, Kaylee Smith, Brianna Smith, Natalie Brooke Beyers, and Morgan Kay Hall; many great grandchildren; a sister, Liana Mae Skinner and husband, Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and a son, Michael Paul Owen. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Friday, July 7th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Reed Beard officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens with military rites accorded by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 6th and from 9:00 am until the hour of service on Friday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.