Owen John Bailey

Owen John Bailey, 84, Wausau, died peacefully at home on June 16, 2006, after an extended illness. He was born March 25, 1922 in Shovel Lake, Minn. to Thomas and Ella (Lewis) Bailey. He married Sharon Dudley, Dec. 31, 1964; Sisseton, So. Dak. He was a retired Social Studies teacher from Wausau Public Schools. He taught at Horace Mann and John Muir Middle Schools, 1968 - 1988. He took great pride in the successes of his students. He attended Crosby, Minnesota high school and then furthered his education at Brainerd State Junior College achieving an Associate of Arts Degree. He then went to Bemidji State College (Minnesota) earning a B.S. degree in Education and then on to University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, with a Masters in Education. He loved to read historical books and accounts. He wrote a compelling Masters thesis on Apartheid in South Africa. Always putting education first Owen taught Sunday school while attending college at Bemidji. He was a U.S. Navy veteran March, 1944 -December, 1946 where he served in World War II, the Pacific theater, as a combat air crewman. He served in a Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bomber as flight engineer and gunner in patrol bomber squadrons VPB 121 and VP 102. Owen was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved the great outdoors and to garden, growing his own vegetables and flowers. He had a special gift for knowing species of trees and appreciating their variety and beauty. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Storm Lake in northwestern Montana; as a hard rock copper miner in Butte, Mont.; a tavern owner and operator in Helena, Mont.; a truck driver in Crosby, Minn; and a teacher in Wausau. His Irish wit was with him until the end. He believed in laughter and loved a good joke and making his own rhymes and poems. He will be dearly missed and survived by devoted and loving wife, Sharon; daughters: Renee (Graham Boorse) Bailey, Wausau, Wisc.; Sandy Kelley, Gaffney, So. Carolina; sons: Mickey (Roz) Bailey; Bloomington, Minn.; Wayne (nee Bailey) (Jean) Kender, Calhan, Colo.; Dennis (nee Bailey) (Lucy) Kender, Prior Lake, Minn.; Clark (nee Bailey) (Karen) Kender, Plymouth, Minn.; grandchildren: Jessica (Peter) McWilliams, Eagan, Minn.; Heather Gustafson, Wausau, Wisc and Pvt. Rick (fiancAC.e Danielle Lang) Gustafson, Wausau, Wisc.; Jason and Caitlin Kender, Plymouth, Minn.; Tammy Kelley, Gaffney, South Carolina; great-grandchildren: Kayla Schultz, Wausau, Wisc. and Ryan McWilliams, Eagan, Minn.; sister: Betty Kovall, Deadwood, So. Dak.; sister-in-law: Sandra Elizabeth, Alexandria, Va.; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Owen was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Harlan, Archie and Tim; sister Lola; and former wife Josephine (Glase, Bailey) Kender. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Owens name. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church, Wausau. The Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to all the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their kind and compassionate care given to Owen during his illness.