Dick

GARNAVILLO, IOWA

Richard “Dick” Allen Owings, age 75, passed away August 10, 2023, due to complications of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, an auto-immune disease affecting the bone marrow.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg, Iowa.

A private funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, Iowa with burial held in the Guttenberg City Cemetery.

He was born August 12, 1947, in Westminster, Maryland, to George W. Jr. and Helen (Hughes) Owings. He graduated from Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, Maryland. He graduated from Frederick Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, and from the Univ. of Baltimore with a Bachelor of Science degree. Dick served in the United States Marine Corps at Air Station New River, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, as an automotive diesel mechanic. His jobs through the years in the Westminster, Maryland, area included electrical work at Miller’s Electric, Good Year, real estate development and broker, Lehigh Cement company, and retired from the Caroll County Government in Westminster, Maryland after 18 years of employment in various departments.

He met Phyllis Noack at a dance, where they started taking country dance lessons together. They married on Oct. 14, 1995, at Trinity Lutheran Church, near Westminster MD. In 2005 they moved from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Garnavillo, Iowa. They became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, Iowa.

He volunteered in various organizations – Clayton County Republicans, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clay-Gar American Legion, Garnavillo Museum, Garnavillo Boosters 4th of July, Plagman Barn, Guttenberg and Elkader Golf & Country Clubs.

Hobbies included golfing, restoring Oliver tractors, and working on anything mechanical. He was gifted to be able to fix almost anything. He was always ready to help others. He loved to interact with kids. He constructed a train out of barrels and took to various functions to give rides. He enjoyed working outdoors and being in nature.

Survivors include his loving wife of 27 years, Phyllis; brothers and sisters from Westminster, Maryland area: George “Buck” & Margaret Owings, Kitty Miller, Ruth Claypoole, Bob & Kathy Owings, Carl & Debbie Owings, Harry & Nancy Owings; 13 nieces & nephews; 25 great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and one sister, Martha Owings of Maryland.

Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg is assisting the family and information is available at www.morrisfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be sent to Morris Funeral Home (in care of the deceased) 207 South 1st St, Guttenberg, IA 52052.