Bruce Gebhart Owen's Obituary
Bruce Gebhart Owen, age 78, died peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by his loving family.
Bruce was born on October 26, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ralph Owen and Julia Owen (née Tuttle). Bruce grew up in Decatur, Illinois. He went to Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for his undergraduate degree in History; the University of Michigan for a Master’s degree in East Asian Language & Culture; and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for his Juris Doctor.
Bruce was sent to Vietnam from 1970-1971, after the Army denied his application for conscientious objector status. Bruce met his wife, Cheryl, while he was in law school in November 1974. From the beginning of their time together, they knew they wanted many children. God blessed them with six children and eleven grandchildren during their forty-eight years together. Bruce maintained his law license while working 22 years as manager and co-owner of Franklin Travel, and then was elected to two terms as Decatur Township Assessor before his retirement in 2009.
After moving from Decatur to Chicago eight years ago, Bruce and Cheryl became members of first St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde Park and later St. Aloysius Church in Wicker Park. They often returned to Decatur to fellowship with their lifelong friends at St. James and Patrick Church.
Bruce loved studying and discussing world events, history, language, politics, and religion. He loved to travel, swim and be near the ocean. He was calm and kind and loved to laugh. He loved God and his “dynasty” of children and grandchildren. He loved to sing and dance and hear live music. He loved genealogy and visiting places where his ancestors had lived. He built love in his family through “little shared experiences.” He always reminded his children of his mother’s words that life was about your “presence,” not your “presents.”
Bruce is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and his children Carrie Kouadio (Yao), John Owen (Britt), Michelle Owen (Eli), Julie Herrera (Daniel), Mary Owen, and Josh Owen. He is survived by his 11 grandchildren: Vieyiti, Alomah, Akoumae, Essileyeh, and Elasseh Kouadio; Lucien and Caspian Owen; Naomi and Saba Elias; and Veronica and Nicholas Herrera. Other surviving relatives include his siblings Martha Eller (Dennis) and Bill Owen (Patricia); and his brother-in-law Gary Puckett. He is also survived by multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his devoted friends Patrick McLoughlin and Larry Grunert.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Lucie Thesz (née Owen), and his parents, Ralph Owen and Julia Owen.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 407 E. Eldorado St. in Decatur, Illinois. He will be laid to rest at Fairlawn cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization: https://www.ihelpveterans.org/. Bruce spent his life hoping war could end.
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