Obituary of Melvin Owens Jr.

Melvin Owens Jr. was born on November 19, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland to Melvin Owens, Sr. and Josephine Lucille Johnson-Owens. He was the third youngest of three children. In 1948, at the age of four, Melvin’s family moved to Michigan, settling in Monroe . He attended Monroe High School, graduating with the class of 1962.  

Melvin took a position with the La-Z-Boy Furniture Company in Monroe, Michigan where he was employed for several years.  He then worked more than forty years of dedicated employment with the Visteon division of the Ford Motor Company before his retirement.

Melvin was a member of Bethlehem Healing Temple in Monroe, Michigan under the leadership of the Late, District Elder Isaac Rivers of the Northern District Council “Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.” He was baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Spirit at an early age. Not only was he active within his own church congregation, teaching Sunday School, playing the piano, and taking care of the church grounds; he was involved in the Church Councils, Young People’s Unions, State and National Conventions throughout his younger years. He made his mother proud.

Melvin attended Monroe Public School. He graduated in 1962 receiving multiple academic awards. Upon graduating from high school and traveling to and from church services, he met and married Juanita Owens and to this union one child was born, Juanita Emmanuella Consuela Owen. Later in life he married Francis Owens.

Melvin always hoping to hit it big, never missing an opportunity to enter the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstake. He loved watching game shows with The Price is Right being at the top of his all-time favorites list. He was crazy about Western shows and movies with the “The Lone Ranger” being his number one choice. Melvin liked to watch all sports, but tennis and especially Serena Williams on the court, kept him glued to the television. Although Melvin was a very private person, he loved going to dinner with his dear friend Betty Dickerson. The pair looked forward to hitting the town enjoying each other’s company in search of a good steak or seafood dinner with Red Lobster being a preferred destination.

Melvin Owens Jr., age 78 of Monroe, Michigan went to home to be with the Lord on Wednesday; March 1, 2023, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. His passing was preceded by his parents: Melvin Owens Sr and Josephine L. Stevenson and a sister: Thelma Johnson.

To cherish Melvin’s memory he leaves his loving daughter: Juanita Owens of Wayne, Michigan; three grandchildren: Emmanuel Johnson-Owens, LaJuanita Johnson-Owens, and LeWuanale Consuella Owens-Berry; four great grandchildren: Preston Johnson-Owens, Jayce Emmanuel Lee Johnson-Owens, Emerald Johnson-Owens, and Raya Emma Johnson-Owens-Berry-Forest; a brother: Joseph Johnson of Monroe; dear friend: Betty Dickerson of Monroe; nieces: Lucille Johnson of Monroe, JoAnne (Julius) Michael of Detroit, Vienta Johnson of Monroe, Maria (Jeffrey) Shaner of Bowie, Maryland, Maria (Nathan) Young of Baltimore, Maryland, and Bernice Brooks of Baltimore, Maryland; nephews: Robert (Barbara) Johnson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jessie (Wendy) Johnson of Monroe, and Alano (Ester) Johnson of North Carolina; and one special cousin: Lewis Hood of Sacramento, California.

Friends may gather from 1:00pm until 2:00pm on Monday; March 13, 2023 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Homegoing Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at 2:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Heather Boone from Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries officiating. Cremation will follow through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.

Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.