Rodger Dean Owens

Rodger Dean Owens, son of the late Homer Segal Owens and Etta Mae Rosenbalm, was born in Bernie, Missouri on September 20, 1948, and departed this life at his residence in Bernie, Missouri on September 22, 2021 at the age of 73.

Mr. Owens was a Veteran of the United States Army 1st Battalion “Big Red One”, walked point and machine gunner serving in Vietnam.  He had also served in the National Guard.  He spent 50 plus years in the water and wastewater industry with 25 of those years as an owner/operator of 4 private utility companies.  He also served 12 years as a commissioner on the Missouri State Safe Drinking Water Commission and continued serving until his death.  He was a very well thought of, smart, hardworking man who knew more than your average joe about a lot of things and was a friend to all and lived life to the fullest.

He was united in marriage to Ann LaDawn Livingston in Puxico, Missouri on February 15, 2002.  Mrs. Owens survives in their home in Bernie.

Other survivors include three sons, Rodney Dale Owens, Richard Dwight Owens & wife Brittney and Christopher Scott Spitzer & wife Stacey, all of Bernie, Missouri; by one daughter, Natalie Dawn Zimmerman & husband Tony of Bernie, Missouri; by four brothers, Robert Owens of Bernie, Missouri, Everett Owens of Puxico, Missouri, Terry Owens of Utica, Illinois and Charles Owens of Wappapello, Missouri; by three sisters, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Carolyn Stone and Marilyn Morgan all of Bernie, Missouri; by twelve grandchildren, Kara Owens, Macayla Owens, Kelsey Spitzer, Caidyn Spitzer, Rallen Owens, Chandler Spitzer, Blair Pleimling, Brynlee Owens, Drake Zimmerman, Baylor Owens, Blakely Owens and Cooper Zimmerman; also by other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by four brothers, Glen Owens, Carlin Owens, Jim Owens and William Henry Owens; by three sisters, Dorothy Stobaugh, Betty Slinkard and Nancy Joan Owens.

Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.   Funeral services will then be conducted at 1 p.m. September 24, 2021 in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie.  Interment will follow in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to the Charity of your choice.  For the safety of the public and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, the family asks that masks be worn.

Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of arrangements.