Harold E. Owens

Harold E. “Spank” Owens, 91, of Lafayette, died at 10:45 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Rosewalk Village.
Born Aug. 1, 1919, in Romney, he was the son of the late Irvin G. “Buster” and Mary Ann Fifer Owens. He graduated from Romney High School in 1939.
He served in the Air Force in the 8th Army Air Corps 487th Bomb Group H 838th Squadron from Sept. 30, 1942, to Oct. 15, 1945. While in service he was a tail gunner on a bomber. While flying over Germany his plane took a direct hit, and he was the lone survivor. One of the last remaining former German POW&s interrogated by the Gestapo, he participated in a 600-mile death march in the middle of winter. He escaped from the POW camp and was helped by the French Underground to evade Germans.
On Feb. 7, 1942, he married Helen L. Miller in St. Louis. She died July 29, 2002.
Mr. Owens worked as a brick mason and in construction until retiring.
He enjoyed making concrete yard ornaments, reading and feeding birds.
Surviving are two daughters, Kim Roadruck (husband: John III) of Lafayette and Vickey Hawk (husband: Steve) of West Point.
Also surviving are 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by a son, Skippy; and 2 brothers.
Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette 47909 with Rev. Dr. Clayton Kendall officiating. Entombment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Those wishing may contribute to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.