CSM (Ret) Eddie F. Owens, age 65 passed away Wednesday morning May 11, 2011 at his residence in Princes Lakes surrounded by his loving family.

Eddie was born October 17, 1945 in Indianapolis, to the late Forrest Edmond and Elline A. (Rushton) Owens. He married Edith M. (Hamblin) Owens on March 19, 1977 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She lovingly survives after 34 years of marriage.

Eddie was a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School. He received an Associates degree in 1987 from Vincennes University and went on to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Military Science from the University of Washington D.C.

He was employed with The Kroger Company as a merchandiser and Head Dairy Clerk in Franklin from 1974 to 1989. He then, spent the next two years taking aerial photography from 1989 to 1991. Eddie owned and operated Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen from 1991 to 2004. He served his country with the United States Army for 32 years retiring in 2005 as a Command Sergeant Major. After retirement, he then went to work for the INARNG in the recruiting office from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, he became the Program Director for the "Civilians on the Battlefield" at Camp Atterbury; where he was training soldiers once again which is what he loved to do. Eddie continued to move up to the Corporate level before retiring in 2010.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #64 in Indianapolis, 82nd Airborne Chapter at Fort Harrison, Nineveh Masonic Lodge # 317, 40 & 8 in Beech Grove, the Scottish Rite in Indianapolis and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Eddie's passion in life was the U.S. Army. He was honored with a few memorable awards that include: The Legion Merit, Infantry Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), Sagamore of the Wabash and was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel during his military career. He loved spending time with his family and flying airplanes.

Eddie is survived by his loving wife: Ede (Hamblin) Owens of Princes Lakes, and was the loving father to four daughters: Lynn A. (Nick) Simms, and MSG ® and Lorri M. (Billy) McCall both of Nineveh, Shawna (Brent) Ferguson of Noblesville & Mitizi Austern of New York; two sons: LeRoy A. (Rachel) Shelley of Smyrna, GA & Brian "Scooter" Shelley of Taylorsville; one sister: Carol Curran of Indianapolis and one brother: Kevin (Ruth) Owens of Nineveh. He will be missed by his nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and five neices.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather: Joseph Curran

The Rev. Gary Pitcock will conduct a funeral service 11 AM Thursday at Meredith - Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery in Morgantown with full military honors presented by the Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit following the services Thursday Morning. The Nineveh Masonic Lodge will conduct a Masonic Service 7:30 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Eddie to the Fellowship Baptist Church, 3851 E. New York St. Indianapolis, IN 46201 or the Johnson Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Center, 1125 W. Jefferson St. Franklin, IN 46131 or the Season's Hospice, 8350 S. Emerson Ave. Ste. 140, Indianapolis, IN 46237.