Owen L. Black

Owen L Black, 91 of Bellevue Nebraska, passed away at home on July 29, 2024. Owen was born on March 31, 1933 to Clyde L Black and Corda (Doughty) Black in London, Kentucky. He was the second sibling in a large and loving family. His life was full of love and laughter and rooted in his deep faith.

After Owen graduated from London High School in 1952, he worked the family farm in London for his Daddy. In June of 1953 he served in the US Army in Germany, where he made many friends and had the opportunity to visit several European countries. Upon discharge in April of 1955, he returned home to London and went on to study at Sue Bennett College where he met the love of his life, Muriel Ledford. They married at the end of their first year in college on May 26, 1956, and moved to Decatur, Illinois to begin their new life. Owen started his career there at Black and Company Hardware. After a year he was transferred to their store in Rockford, Illinois where he and Muriel lived for 29 years and began to raise their family. They went on to have 3 children, Regina Lynn, Randall “Randy” Owen and Miriam Jane.

In 1986, Owen was transferred to Danville, Illinois where he finished out his 42 years with Black and Company. He had an incredible work ethic and brought professionalism, integrity and a friendly smile to work each day. Service to God and his community was also important to Owen. He was always an active member in his church serving on church councils in his different communities. After his retirement in 1998 he spent his time volunteering with the Kiwanis Club, and as a Red Vest at the Hospital. He had an active social group of Mall Walkers that he joined daily for exercise and chit chat where they brainstormed ideas on solving all the world’s problems. Owen was a proud and loving grandfather and cherished spending time and making memories with his Grandsons. He also enjoyed spending time in his yard and watching his favorite sports teams, the Illini, Kentucky Wildcats and the Cubs.

In addition to his parents, Owen was predeceased by his in-laws, Astor and Sally Ledford, his brother Kenneth M. Black, brother-in-law Bobby Gregory, sister-in-law Daisy Black, sister-in-law Vickie Ledford, and nephew Brent Ledford.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Muriel Black, brother Rothwell Black, sister-in-law Connie Black, brother Charles Edwin Black, brother Larry (Brenda) Black, sister Lou Gregory, brother-in-law Dave Ledford, sister-in-law Joan Ledford, brother-in-law Paul Ledford, children Regina (Tom) Kopp, Randy (Tammy Bosley) Black, Jane (Jim) O’Shea, grandchildren Robert Kopp, Ryan (Lilia Flores) Kopp and Zachary Kucera.

A service to celebrate Owen’s life will be held Thursday August 8, 2024 at House Rawlings Funeral Home in London, Ky, with visitation at 11:00 – 1:00, funeral at 1:00. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in London, Ky. The family welcomes friends and loved ones to join them in remembering Owen.

Owen Black’s life was and adventure of love, family and faith. He will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him, his contagious smile and kind heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James Methodist Church in Bellevue, Nebraska or Macedonia Methodist Church in London, Kentucky.