Owen L. Rouse

Owen L. Rouse 87 of Danville passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family at 4:25 am Thursday December 30, 2004 at the home of his daughter in Mahomet IL. He was born October 22, 1917 in Rileysburg, In the son of David and Ethel Fields Rouse. Owen married Mary Rita Wade Baumgart on August 26, 1946 in Danville. Owen is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Rita also two sons; James (Rosemary) Rouse of Tunnel Hill Il, Mark Rouse of Oakton Va, two daughters Luann (Paul) Pasquale of Danville, Julie (Victor) Audo of Mahomet, five grand-children Cory Runyan of Sherman Oakes, Ca, Luke and Tessa Audo of Mahomet Il and Chelsey and Ben Rouse of Tunnel Hill. He was preceded in death by his parent's, one sister Ruth Baumgart and two brothers, Glenn and Raymond Rouse. Owen graduated from Danville High School in 1935 and Utter-Brown Business College in 1937. He enlisted in the army in 1941 and served five years in Iceland, India and Burma. He received an Honorable discharge in December of 1945, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Owen became a co-owner of Hill Lumber Co in 1951 until the business was destroyed by fire on December 28, 1970. He and his business partner Bill Harmon started Voorhees Lumber in 1972. He had worked there until his retirement on November 1, 1979. Owen was a charter member of Vermilion Hills Country Club, life member of American Legion Post 210, 50 year member of Anchor Lodge #980. He was also a member of Ansar Temple, GAO Grotto, and Eastern Illinois Shrine Club where he enjoyed riding their Super Cycle in local and national parades. During his long retirement Owen enjoyed fishing, golf and traveling.