Kenneth Owens Obituary

KENNETH E. OWENS Kenneth E. Owens, age 89, longtime resident of Elmhurst. Beloved husband of Virginia Maria nee Kijak for 66 years; loving father of Virginia A. (Paul L.) Epley; uncle of Geraldine nee Kijak(Lorin) Pitts, Bridget nee Pitts (Scott) Oleson, Valerie nee Kijak (Daniel) Harper, Regina Kijak, Victoria Kijak, Sandy Kijak, Louis (Lori) Kijak, Louis Kijak Jr., Michelle Kijak, Kevin Kijak and Janet Kijak. He was a WWII Navy veteran, having earned the American Area Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, and Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon One Star. He served on the attack transport fleet command ship APA109 USS Grafton, transporting troops, landing craft and tanks to all the strategic battles in the Pacific. The Grafton led the Pacific Fleet into Tokyo for the signing of the Japanese surrender to end WWII in the Pacific. Kenneth started his career as an elevator constructor in 1947, at the age of 24, and retired at the age of 62 in 1984, after 37 years with the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #2. Proficient in all areas of his trade, he worked in Chicago participating in the building of such landmarks as the John Hancock Building and the Sears Tower. He was a longtime member of Visitation Church, the Elks, Elmhurst and Visitation Seniors. Visitation at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday. Prayers 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 24 th at the funeral home, going to Visitation Church. Mass at 9:30 A.M. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be appreciated for Visitation Church, 779 S. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Funeral info 630-834-3515 or www.ahlgrim.com