MAX OWENS

Johnston City-Max Owens, 83, of Johnston City, passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 11:43 P.M. at Parkway Manor in Marion.

Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with Pastor Stephen Hudspath officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Graveside military honors will be provided by the Marion V.F.W, American Legion, and Navy Funeral Honors Burial Detail.

Max was born on September 23, 1934 in West Frankfort. He was the second son of Omer Sr. and Dorothy (Hampton) Owens.

Max was raised in Benton, graduating from Benton High School in 1952. He joined the Navy and honorably served his country aboard the USS Mulaney and the USS Southerland during the Korean Conflict. He also served in the Illinois National Guard and the Army Reserves. Max received numerous medals, including a Good Conduct, National Defense Service Medal, and others from the Navy and received Honorable Discharges from the Navy, Illinois National Guard, and the Army.

Max married Lucille "Toots" Gipson in Benton on October 6, 1956. They moved to Chicago Heights where they lived and worked for 17 years. In 1973 they moved back to Benton. Lucille died on February 3, 1979.

In his younger years Max loved flying, and obtained his Private Pilot License in 1961. He flew well into the 1980s, often taking family and friends on his aerial adventures.

Max married Patty Clements on February 14, 1982, in Benton. They remained married until his death in 2017.

He is survived by his wife of Johnston City; 4 sons, Alan Owens of St. Louis, MO, Mike Clements of Placentia, CA, Lance Clements and his wife Nancy of Daphne, AL, and John Clements and his wife Merry of Johnston City; a daughter Cathy Spehar and husband Scott Spehar of Atlanta GA; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and a sister.