MOUNT VERNON – Bernard Neil Owen passed away Aug. 27, 2021, in Newark, just three weeks after celebrating his 93rd birthday.
He grew up in Mount Vernon, graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1946 and was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He served 2 years' active duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a radio operator and was in the Army National Guard, Mansfield, for the next 18 years, rising to the rank of master sergeant. Being designated photographer for his unit started a lifelong hobby. He was also a member of the Mt. Zion Lodge #9 F&AM and the Mount Vernon Elks. He worked as an electrician at Cooper Industries and Continental Can Co. in Mount Vernon and Anheuser-Busch in Columbus. For the past 25 years, he has lived in the beloved cabin “Capsberg,” which he built on a hillside above the Kokosing River in Howard. Capsberg became the base for his many hobbies and interests, including hunting, fishing, sports shooting and bird and animal photography.
Bernie was a true-blue friend and devoted caregiver to his family. He will be remembered for the many Owen reunions on the hill where hand-churned ice cream and “Mule” rides were a huge draw. His deep chuckle, infectious smile and protracted storytelling had a way of drawing people to him; yet, he preferred the solitude of his cabin, escaping into the beauty of his hilltop retreat and the solemnity of his own thoughts.
He is survived by his stepdaughter, Debbie Hagans née Topp; and nieces, Gail Carnal of San Antonio, Texas, Maurine Falcone and her husband, James Falcone, Jr., of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Barbara E. Verble of Parkland, Fla.; and nephew, Joe O. Verble of Clayton, N.J.
Graveside services will be on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by The Knox County Joint Veterans Council.
The Snyder Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family. Please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com to leave a condolence or share a memory.
