Ralph J. Owens, Jr.

Ralph J. Owens, Jr., 99, of Turbotville, passed away Friday January 24, 2025 at home.

Born December 9, 1925 in Bellefonte, he was a son of the late Ralph J., Sr. and Gladys M. (Auckerman) Owens. On July 19, 1947 he married the former Violet L. Weller and they celebrated 57 years until her passing in 2004. On October 14, 2005 he married the former Lois Hurst and together, they have celebrated 19 years.

Ralph joined the US Army and honorably served his country during WWII. During this time, he graduated from welding school and was a part of the 258th Combat Engineers, who were responsible for building and demolishing bridges. Upon returning home to Turbotville, he worked as a welder at ACF, Milton.

Ralph bought Nite Lite Sign Co. and later sold it to his daughter, Ruth, where he continued to work for her until he was 95 years old.

He was a founding member of Beaver Run Mennonite Church.

Ralph was a member of North Mountain Sportsman Club, North Montour Sportsmen’s Club, and was inducted into the PA Federation of Sportsmen Clubs Hall of Fame in 2001. He had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing; and also enjoyed trapping and calling fox. Ralph also raised hunting dogs and pheasants.

In addition to his wife, Lois of Turbotville, Ralph is survived by seven children, Ralph J. Owens III, Williamstown, NJ, Mabel (Albert) Brown, Gladys Brown, Ruth (Timothy) King, Richard (Molly) Owens, Doris (Tom) Lawton, all of Turbotville, Evelyn “Evy” (Dan) Bartholomew, Sunbury; daughters-in-law, Cecelia Owens, Georgiana, AL, and Patricia Owens, Haddonfield, NJ; step-sons, Kenneth (Emily) Walk, and Michael (Lisa Marie) Walk; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Peggy Bridge, Turbotville, James Owens, Watsontown, and Jack Owens, Sunbury.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by a son, Robert Owens; sisters, Evelyn Waidley, and Patricia Johnston; brother, Theodore Owens; son-in-law, Dean Brown; a grandson; 3 great-grandchildren; a grandson-in-law; and granddaughter-in-law.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 6 to 8PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Brooks Funeral Home and Cremation Svc, PC, 207 Broadway Street, Turbotville and from 10-11AM on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Derry Mennonite Church, 40 Preserve Road, Danville where the funeral service will begin at 11:00AM, with Pastor John McCarty of White Hall Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial with full military honors in Beaver Run Mennonite Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory be made to North Montour Sportsmen’s Club, P.O. Box 142, Washingtonville, PA 17884.

To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com

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