Arza A. Owens, 79

CRISFIELD - Arza A. Owens, 79, passed away at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury Friday, March 16, 2007 surrounded by his family.

Born in Crisfield on Feb. 18, 1928, he was the son of the late Christopher C. Owens, Jr. and the late Esther Mae Elliott Owens. He retired in 1990 with the former Mrs. Paul's Kitchens in Crisfield. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later enlisted in the U.S. Army retiring in 1977. He earned the following medals: World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific, American Theatre, Good Conduct, Occupation Japan and Operation Alaska.

He was a member of the Mariners United Methodist Church, Stanley Cochrane American Legion Post No. 16, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8274, all in Crisfield. He loved playing cards with his sister Betty, he loved and enjoyed his family, enjoyed going to the city dock watching boats come and go, and loved his dog, "Trixie".

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Peggy L. Owens; three children, Pam Owens Zywczynski and husband, Lawrence "Ski" of Lancaster, NY, Cecilia Owens Hancock and companion, John Papa of Crisfield, and Arza J. Owens and wife, Lisa of Salisbury; a brother, Chris Owens, III and his companion, Marlene Ward of Newark, DE; a sister, Betty J. Bradshaw of Crisfield; six grandchildren, June Pszczolkowski and husband Rob, Lindsay Zywczynski, all of Lancaster, NY, Mike Hancock of Baltimore, Carla Hatten and husband Andy of Charlotte, NC, Chad R. Owens and Catherine "Katie" Owens of Salisbury.; 4 great-grandchildren, Nicholas Pszczolkowski, Alex Pszczolkowski, April Zywczynski, and Logan Hatten. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Robert H. Bradshaw.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. The Revs. Stephen Willing and Tom Blakelock and Pastor Bill Cropper officiated. Burial was in the American Legion Cemetery where full Military honors were conducted by the U.S. Army.

Donations in memory of the deceased may be made to the McCready Foundation, Inc., 201 Hall Highway, Crisfield, MD 21817 or the Lower Somerset Ambulance & Rescue Squad Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 406, Crisfield, MD 21817.