Charles “Owen” Vessell Jr, 92, of Evansville, IN passed away at 12:30 PM Monday, October 8, 2018 at West River Health Campus. Owen was born on December 12, 1925 in Paducah, KY. He was the son of Charles Owen and Louise (Grogan) Vessell.
The family moved to Evansville when he was two years old. Owen graduated from Caze Elementary School and Bosse High School. When Owen was a senior at Bosse High School, WWII was raging.
He graduated one semester early and joined the Navy in January 1944. He was an aircraft radio man 3rd class on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific headed for Japan when WWII ended. He also graduated from Lockyear’s Business College with an associate degree after returning from service in the Navy.
He met Marilynn Wathen, and after dating for some time proposed marriage to her at the Roca Bar. She said yes, and they married in 1947. In 1949, he and Eldon Comstock established Comstock and Vessell Trim Shop later becoming Vessell Trim Company.
He was a member of East Side Baptist and then Eastern Heights Baptist Church which merged to form American Baptist East. He served in many capacities, including the Choir, Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Trustee. He was also a proud member of the Hadi Shrine and the East Side Optimists.
He is survived by his three sons, Gary (Nancy); David (Nancy); and Jon (Wanda). He was a fun and loving grandfather to Heather, Kyle Owen, Kelli, Joseph Owen, and Emilee. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Julia, Soleil, Evie, and Abigail.
He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. Ron (Ceel) Wathen, of Annapolis, Md; and a niece and many nephews. Owen was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife Marilynn in 2011, after 64 years of marriage. The family would like to express our deepest thanks to Dad’s friends, especially Irv Levine and Tammy Russell, for their prayers, visits and kindness.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Reverend Jeff Stratton officiating. Burial will be in Park Lawn Cemetery. The Hadi Shrine will conduct a walk through at 12:45pm.
Friends may visit from 10 am until 1:00 pm on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel. The funeral service will begin following the visitation, with Pastor Jeff Stratton officiating. Burial will be in Park Lawn Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hadi Shrine Children’s Hospital 6 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47708 and American Baptist East, 6300 Washington Ave, Evansville, IN 47715.
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