Date of Death: May 8, 2026
Service Details
A celebration of Emagene’s long and beautiful life will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service beginning at 12:00 p.m. noon at Howardsville Gospel Chapel. Graveside services will follow at Bly Cemetery in Marcellus.
Obituary Notice
Emagene Acenia Owen, age 93, passed away and into her Savior’s arms on Saturday, May 8, 2026. She was born on February 8, 1933 in Dowagiac, MI, the daughter of Dr. Harold and Mildred (Kirk) Rose. Emagene was known for many things, but she was best known for loving and serving her Lord Jesus Christ and for serving and loving everyone around her. She served as a missionary for twenty-four years in the jungles of Peru alongside her beloved husband, Robert Owen.
Emagene loved her flowers as well as bird watching. She loved music and taught students to play the piano for many years. She was passionate about the Word of God and a fierce prayer warrior. She was a prolific letter writer and also loved reading books. Family meant everything to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Robert Owen, to whom she was united in marriage on June 19, 1954; her children, Spring (Khalil) Rosenbaum, Terry (Lynn) Owen, Carey (Sharon) Owen, and Melody Greis; grandchildren, Joseph (Margaret) Owen, Gabriel (Danielle) Owen, Christina (Richard) Escuain, Erica (Phil) Evans, Angela (Jacob) Vahle, Michelle Dickerson, Tyler Greis, Katie (Michael) Greis, and Alex Greis; and great-grandchildren, Mimi Owen, Malachi Owen, and Elijah Owen; Natalia, Julia, Daniel, Gabriel, Jonathan, and Benjamin Escuain; Ariana, Naomi, and Callan Evans; Jordan and Anna Vahle; Sameera Dickerson, and Indie Chavis.
The family wishes to thank the community for all their prayers and support during our time of loss. Her life will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her. She is now safe and rejoicing in the arms of her Savior, whom she loved and longed to see.
Additional Information
Memorial donations in Emagene’s memory may be directed to Howardsville Gospel Chapel or Moody Bible Institute. Envelopes will be available at the church or Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Emagene was always such an encouragement to us as a family. She gave RuthAnn piano lessons for a couple years. Our live for missions always was a part of our conversations. So glad to be able to call her my friend. Oddly she and my Dad’s funeral were a day apart so I could not come.
Lovingly- until we meet in our heavenly home.
Dear Bob and the entire Owen family Mary and I are so sorry for your loss.
We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Bold Peter Denied His Lord… this song has echoed in brain for 50 years, Emagene banging away on the old upright piano in the church basement. How many times have I denied my Savior in my ordinary, everyday life? One person who loved Jesus. One person who loved music. One person who instilled one basic concept that has had a life long effect on one girl. It was she who shared her love of music and Jesus consistently, teaching us in school to lift up our voices in praise to our savior through classical pieces such as Alleluia. I truly thank God for allowing her in my life. To her family, Thank you for sharing her with me (with all of us). I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. (and Melody, love you too sister! I remember you sneaking in “The Entertainer” before sunday school ❤️ and getting scolded)
Bob and Emagene were such good friends with my mother and father, Arden and Genevieve Wright. If my mother had a best friend, it surely was Emagene. They faithfully supported their work in Peru and not too many days went by in our household when I was growing up that their names weren’t mentioned.
In the years since college, whenever Debbie and I were in Michigan we tried to stop by to say hello and catch up on our families. We have exchanged Christmas and anniversary cards for more than 50 years.
Our prayers are with all of the family and especially Bob at this difficult time. Bob and Emagene were a team, and it’s hard to think about one and not the other.
Welcome Home Emagene! You were such a blessing to our young family; piano lessons for Gavin, Bible Club, Missionary Church Picnics, leading Taylor to the Lord, and you and Bob loving Nate and me. I’m so glad that you and Bob were able to get a puppy from us!
Bob, you will be in my prayers!
Precious friends!! .On behalf of the Brouwer/Rus family, we send our love and prayers to you at this difficult time. Indeed, one of the Lord’s choicest servants has come home to HIM…and has joyfully joined the ranks of our beloved ones who have gone before us.
Among many joyous memories are the ones I have of Emagene teaching us in Sunday School…in the basement of the old chapel. I remember thinking how I hoped that one day I would know my Bible the way she did. Can’t wait to see you, again, Emagene! We all love you all!!
Dear Emagene, what a sweet, dedicated servant of God. She and her husband, Bob were in the very first group of young people from Howardsville Gospel Chapel. They met, studied at Moody Bible Institute, married and began their service as missionaries to Peru. Their story was an inspiration to so many of us who would follow their example. Whether Bob’s singing, playing accordion, or Emagene’s piano playing, stories and testimonies, to be in their presence was to bask in the effervescence of the joy of the Lord. Oh, to read the autobiography of their Guardian Angel. It must be multiple volumes: The Early Years, The Peru Years, The Howardsville Years. And so to the faithful servant who’s already heard Him say, “Well done,” it only gets better from here.
I always appreciated her dedication and musical talent that she used for her Lord and Savior. Thoughts and prayers to all of the Owen family.
Emagene was kind and loving to everyone she met. She always made people feel special and valued. She loved her family fiercely! I appreciated all her prayers and good wishes. She will be missed but will live on in the hearts of those whom she loved.
Sending my love and prayers to her and her family!
💕 love,
Laurie and Britt Bauguss
I will always think of tea cups and saucers when I think of Emagene! Many years ago when I had Christmas Tea Parties for my Sunday School girls she gave me 3 cups and saucers because I did not have enough for the girls. I will always treasure those cups and the wonderful, loving and generous woman Emagene was!
Heaven did receive a gift, I really can imagine her sitting at Jesus feet. She will be missed, but is in such a wonderful place. Bob and family our hearts go out to you at the time, lean on Jesus and each other.