Remembering Bro. John R. Owen
Illinois Freemasons invest in self-improvement and being useful to others. Our fraternal order teaches the precepts of equality, charity, tolerance, fellowship, and brotherly love among its members. Every day, all across our state, our members put Masonic principles into action, making the world a better place one good deed at a time.
Our brotherhood recently lost a man who truly lived with our values in his heart: Brother John Richard Owen. In the years before he passed away, he spoke frequently with his niece, who hosts a morning radio show. His niece has asked to remain anonymous, so for the sake of telling Brother Owen’s incredible story, we will reference her as Donna. Her show often shared stories about the amazing acts of charity by the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. and what the brethren of Harmony Lodge No. 3 in Jacksonville, IL, were doing in the community.
Brother John Owens of Polk Lodge No. 137
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Donna took on the task of keeping her uncle and aunt informed about things happening in Jacksonville, a few towns over from their home in Springfield. She called them every couple of weeks and told them stories, many of which involved the local Freemasons. Being a passionate Freemason, Brother Owen was always impressed to hear them. When he passed away on August 17, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital, he requested his memorial donations go to Harmony Lodge No. 3 to continue supporting their efforts. We spoke to Donna about John, his life, and the impact that he made on his community.
Can you please tell us about your Uncle John and his experience with Freemasonry?
My uncle belonged to Polk Lodge No. 137 in McLeansboro, Illinois. He wasn’t super active in Freemasonry when I was a child, but I do remember him driving a Shriner car. He and my aunt didn’t have children, so my siblings and I were their children. We were always raised to be active in the community and support charitable organizations. As a music teacher, Richard was always very involved in his community. He encouraged us to support the arts and to donate to music programs.
What kind of person was your uncle? What was the role he played in your life and the community?
Uncle John was a bit of a practical joker. He, my dad, and my dad’s best friend always gave gag gifts to each other for Christmas. One year it was an Animatronic Santa Clause. Another year it was a Jeff Gordon inflatable chair. They once bought John a Jeff Gordon Fan Club subscription, and he kept getting mail for a long time.
He was very funny and had a lot of jokes. He could go into a room and find something in common with anyone. He could make a connection with anyone, even if he had never met them before.
He also served in the army, was in the band in the army, and after he left the service, performed for a lot of funerals and memorial services. Uncle John could play any instrument and frequently played saxophone, brass, and just about any wind instrument. He also taught his students to play and listen to music every day for 30 years.
Uncle John had very wide life experience and was one of the people I went to for advice.
As a Freemason, your uncle supported charitable works; did he ever tell stories to explain why?
As a child, Uncle John grew up in a rural area that did not have a lot of public social services. The social services were your neighbors. People would be dropping food off on a porch, and no one would know who it was from. His family did a lot of that and taught him the importance of giving to others and supporting those in need in your community.
When he got older, he lived too far to participate in his lodge. That’s why I made a point of talking to him about the stories from Jacksonville. Being a former teacher himself, Uncle John really liked that the Masons of Harmony Lodge helped a lot with Jacksonville Public Schools. He would often ask about them.
He also appreciated that they did Shop with a Cop, worked the Food Pantry, the Academic Bowl, and more. Uncle John also loved the stories about the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M donations to local charities. I heard all these stories through my show and shared them with my uncle. Those include how, with the help of IMCAP (Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program), the Grand Lodge made $5,000 donations to the Food Bank in 2022 and the Public School system in 2021 and 2023. They have also made annual donations to the Routt/Our Saviors Catholic School (Uncle John belonged to Routt Catholic Church), Westfair Christian Church School, various local police charities, and other local charities.
Uncle John was a member of Freemasonry in the southern part of the state but didn’t live down there. After he retired from teaching, he wasn’t super active in the fraternity. So, he loved hearing these stories and thought it was really neat that Illinois Freemasons were doing all this amazing charity work in the community. When he passed, he asked his memorial donations to be made to Harmony Lodge to support their efforts. The fantastic thing is that all the donated money ended up helping kids.
About Brother John Richard Owen
John Richard Owen died August 17, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He was born November 10, 1944, in Hamilton County, IL, the son of Truman Earl and Ruby Fern Greer Owen. He married Mary Lou Shanahan on August 12, 1972. John served in the United States Army, taught band at Glenwood Junior High School, and was a part-time teacher at Routt High School. His Mercedes was his pride and joy. John was a Shriner. He is survived by his wife, four nieces, two great nephews, one great niece, and a sister-in-law.
Brother Owen is a shining example of the type of man who advances the legacy of Illinois Freemasonry. A man of the utmost character, who makes a concerted effort to make a positive impact on the world around him.
Brother Owen will be incredibly missed, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.