Mary Elizabeth Owen

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Owen, 90, of Rushville, passed away at 10:07 PM, Friday, August 30, 2019, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

She was born on January 27, 1929, in LaBelle, Missouri, the daughter of Hugh and Martha B. (Calhoun) Smith. She married James Owen on February 21, 1947, in LaBelle, Missouri, and he preceded her in death on March 29, 2018.

Surviving are three children Larry Owen and partner Diana Rounds of Rushville, Jeffrey Owen of Springfield, and Elizabeth “Liz” Ingles and husband Jon of Camden, daughter-in-law Debbie Woodard and husband Steve of St. Louis, 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, sister-in-law Dorothy Smith of Paola, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Richard “Rick” Owen, a grandson Adam Maliongas, a brother Harland Smith, a sister Martha Jean Lay and her husband Delbert and a niece Nyla Seela.

Beth was a graduate of LaBelle High School.  In 1954, she and her family moved to Rushville from the Chicago area and worked beside her husband on the Hess Dairy Farm.  She would later work for Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Schuyler Telephone, and the Schuyler County Courthouse.  She worked many years as a teller for Schuyler State Bank, retiring in 1994.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in Rushville, where she sang in the choir.  She enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening.  Beth and Jim could be seen attending and supporting their grandchildren at many events.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with David Haney officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation.