Clarence "Jum" Owens

Clarence “Jum” Owens, born March 3, 1910 of Pecatonica, presumed dead Feb 19, 1976 and verified deceased in September 2024.  Jum was born in Irish Grove to Bernard and Ellen (Liston) Owens.  His parents passed away at a young age leading him to go to work rather than finish school.  Jum was a lifelong businessman in the Pecatonica area, working in the restaurant, tavern, farming, livestock and real estate businesses.  He always enjoyed going to farm auctions.  Early in his adult life, he worked for various farmers in the Irish Grove area and then moved to Edgerton WI to work for the Highway Trailer Company until the Depression hit, leading him to move back to Pecatonica where he bought a restaurant from his cousin in 1933.  He had to pay cash for all of his supplies due to the nature of the Depression. He added a bar to his restaurant after Prohibition was repealed, calling it Owens Tavern.  In 1935, Jum sold his restaurant and moved his tavern business to the current Main Tap Building. He expected to be drafted so he sold the building and business in 1942.  He was not drafted and began farming by renting a farm north of Pecatonica. He also hauled livestock with a stock rack in his pickup which allowed him to deal livestock and rent out bulls.  He dealt cattle, mules, and horses around the Pecatonica area.  His sons were 4-H members and raised shorthorn cattle which led to the founding of Claredale Farms. In 1945, he bought back The Main Tap in Pecatonica, now known as Booties Main Tap. He established the Owens Agency which specialized in farm real estate and insurance.  He worked in farm real estate up until his disappearance with his colleague Everett Hawley.  He loved to travel all over the United States, especially the west. He also traveled overseas including trips to Ireland, France, England, Switzerland, and Italy where he attended a mass at the Vatican with his son Tom.  He enjoyed amateur and professional boxing and sponsored several men competing for the Golden Gloves.  He attended professional boxing events in Chicago and even attended the Joe Louis and Billy Conn fight at Yankee Stadium in 1946.

Jum is survived by sons James Owens, Dennis (Dianne) Owens, and Tom (Traci) Owens.; Grandchildren Matt Owens, Theresa (Chuck) Ackerman, Sue (Steve) Miller, Meredith Owens, Geoff (Chelsea) Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Meghan (Justin) Doran, Daniel (Shannon) Owens, Mallory (Darin) Mahon, and Lyndsey (Steven) Valentine, and his great grandchildren David (Courtney Lee) Owens, Alicia (Dustin) Piper, Andrew (Cori) Ackerman, Aaron Ackerman, Michael (Angela) Miller, Stefany (Charlie) Brown, Lauren (Kevin Goodall) Owens, Garrett Owens, Liam Owens, and Lily Owens, Murphy Owens, Frankie Owens, Parker Doran, and Claire Doran, Naomi Mahon, Emmett Mahon, Jude Valentine, Lillian Valentine, and James Valentine.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Ellen Owens, brother, Frances (Murph) Owens, daughter in law,  Donna Owens (wife of Jim Owens), and grandson, Mark Owens.

A heart-felt thank you goes out to Ralph Fry and Matt Osborne who noticed the vehicle on their Sonar equipment while fishing on the Pecatonica River in March 2024. Also a heart-felt thank you goes out to the MABAS 8 Dive Team and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department for the recovery of remains. A special thank-you to all our friends, family and strangers who offered prayers and support over the many years as the search continued for Jum and Everett.

Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 126 W 5th Street, Pecatonica, Illinois 61063, with Rev. William R. Wentink and Rev. Dennis M. Morrissy officiating.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from  10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  Burial in Irish Grove Cemetery, 5333 North Irish Grove Rd, Davis, Illinois 61019, to follow the mass.  To extend online condolences, please visit: www.affordablecremationbelvidere.com.

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