Obituary of Ethel L. Owler

Ethel Louise Owler, age 98 of Youngstown, died Monday October 23, 2017 in the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport.

Ethel was born June 6, 1919 in Niagara Falls, NY, the daughter of the late Harry and Anna (Hanson) Allen. Following her graduation from Trott Vocational School in 1937, she worked for the Carborundum Company. On September 4, 1943 she married William Gordon Owler at Camp Murphy, Florida. They were married for 65 years until his passing in 2009.

They lived in Matteson, IL from 1952 to 1987 when they moved to Youngstown. During their time in Matteson, Ethel and Bill were members of the 1st Presbyterian Church, Chicago Heights, IL and she was a Sunday School Teacher loving her time with the Kindergarten children for 20 years. She was also involved in Women's Fellowship and doing mission sewing. Ethel was a member of the Matteson Elementary School PTA serving in several officer positions for many years, and was a member of the Matteson Historical Society.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, a member of the Porter Township Historical Society, Old Fort Niagara and Friends of the Youngstown Free Library.

Ethel was extremely proud of her family and loved when they came to visit and spend time at their place along Lake Ontario. She was proud of the four generations pictures with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her family will always cherish the swimming and boating, picnic dinners, and campfires, her blond brownies and her homemade spaghetti. Ethel and her sister Dorothy enjoyed exploring their family ancestry and sharing their Swedish heritage with family and friends. Her love for walking was a daily activity she enjoyed up to the very end.

She is survived by her children, William G. (Nancy) Owler, Jr. of Quakertown, PA, Garrett A. (Ruth) Owler of Ballwin, MO, and Eileen (Mel) Meinheit of Peotone, IL; her grandchildren, William G. (Gloria) Owler, III, Jonathan, Jeffery (Danielle) and J. Nathan (Sarah) Owler, Mary (Robby) Fitch, Rebecca (Matt) Bailey, Andrew Owler, Nicole (Bryan) Sherrick, and Matthew (Shannon) Meinheit; her great grandchildren, Amber , Lillian and Lindsey Owler, Jackson, Wesley, Roman and Mabel Fitch, Archibald and Bramwell Owler, Amelie and Edith Mae Bailey, Lauren and Benjamin Sherrick, and Emmett Meinheit; her step great grandchildren, Sargent and Daniel Majors; a brother, George (late Dorothy) Allen; and a sister in law, Shirley Allen; several nieces and nephews and her friends at Brookdale Assisted Living. She was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy (Bill) Goater and Eleanor (Gordon) Call, and two brothers, Ralph and Warren Allen.

Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Thursday from 3 - 7 PM. Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 27, at 11:00 AM in the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 100 Church St., Youngstown, with the Rev. Dr. Rex Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Rural Cemetery, Lake Rd. Youngstown. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, or to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.