Norma Jean Owens

Norma Jean Owens, age 88, of Dover, died Thursday, September 17, 2015, in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia, following a brief illness.

Born May 19, 1927, at Uhrichsville, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Minnie (Ruppenthal) Schwab. Norma Jean graduated from Tuscarawas-Warwick High School, and, on August 24, 1947, married Harry D. Owens in the parsonage of Sharon Moravian Church near Tuscarawas.

The couple purchased a 154-acre farm on Deis Hill Rd., just outside of Dover, in 1954, and set about raising chickens. Chicken farming proved to be unprofitable, and Norma Jean and Harry switched to dairy cows. They began selling farm machinery in 1962, and it gradually turned into a full-time venture - becoming Owens Implement. Norma Jean and Harry worked long hours, side by side, putting nearly everything they made back into the business.

They began exhibiting farm machinery at the Tuscarawas County Fair in 1966, and found it to be both enjoyable and good business. The couple became fixtures at the fair thereafter. Harry and Norma Jean would sleep in a camper at the fairgrounds all week, visiting friends and taking in the horse races, which they liked so much. They retired from day-today business in 1991.

Norma Jean was a member of Ruslin Hills Church at Dover, the Tusco Traveleers and the Good Sam Club. She especially enjoyed traveling to Florida in the winter with Harry. Always busy, some of Norma Jean's favorite pastimes were gardening, canning, cooking, cleaning and embroidery.

Survivors include her daughter, Janet L. (Jim) Galigher of New Philadelphia; her sons, Jim (Chris) and Bruce (Diana) Owens, both of Dover; her five grandchildren, Kevin (Macie) and Aaron (Summer) Galigher, Michael (Erika), Jason and Joe Owens; her seven great-grandchildren, Keton, Kason, Kilee, Kyle, Zach, A.J. and Katelyn; her nieces and nephews; and her little dog, Muffin.

Besides her parents, Norma Jean was preceded in death by her beloved Harry on April 19, 2012; her infant son, Jay Allen Owens; her sister, Joyce Pasquinelli; and her brothers, Donald and James Schwab.

Norma Jean's family would like to acknowledge Connie, Dee, Marilyn and Marty for all of the help, care and concern they gave to Norma Jean Thank You!

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Sunday, September 20, 5 7 p.m. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Duane L. Houser, will be conducted Monday, September 21, at 11 a.m., in the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard at Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Norma Jean, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the funeral home's website.

The family suggests that contributions in Norma Jean's memory be made to Ruslin Hills Church, 5839 Ruslin Hills Rd. N.W., Dover, Ohio 44622, or, to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.