Russell Lee Owen

Russell Lee Owen, 91, of Bluffton, SC passed away on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Carolina House of Bluffton, SC.He was born in Milton, KY on October 24, 1918. He was the son of the late Raymond and Hazel Massen Owen.He was a retired mechanical engineer from Grumman Aerospace (Gulfstream). He was a graduate of Hofstra University. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II in the Pacific and during the liberation of the Philippines. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the USS Halsey Powell DD686 which took a direct hit from Kamikaze but did not go down while serving in the Pacific. He was a member of Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church.He is survived by his nieces, Mary Ann Mangiaracina; Georgiana Persichilli and Dianne Siegel; one nephew, Edward Forys and one sister in law, Mary Jane Owen, wife of his deceased brother, Glenford, and her family. He was preceded in death by his sister, Edwina.The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 333 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton, SC at 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 18, 2009. The family will receive friends from 5 til 7, Tuesday evening at the Funeral Home. A Wake Service will be held at 6:30 pm.Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.saulsfh.com)