Ivor “Butch” L. Owens, 64, of Sparta, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at home. He was born on March 26, 1944 in Rockford, IL to Lloyd and Orcelia (Foster) Owens.

     He has made his home in Sparta since 1988. He was a truck driver for 25 years. For the last 15 years, he was employed by Keene’s Transfer in Tomah, WI. Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He was most happy when he spent time with his family and friends.

     He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his wife of 32 years, Bonnie of Sparta; 8 daughters, L. Sue Zebell, Amy Owens Kiernan, and Cathy Owens all of Sparta, Robin (Jeremy Krans) Owens of La Crosse, Kylie Owens of Surprise, AZ, Dorothy (Cary) Keebortz of Harrodsburg, KY, Luella (Larry) Spagnoletta of Lexington, KY, and Juanita (Randy) Kelley of Richmond, KY; a son, Shane Owens of Sparta; his father, Lloyd Owens of Rockford, IL; his mother-in-law, Emma (Jim) Bloom of Yucca, AZ; his brother, Glenn Owens of Garden Prairie, IL; his sister, Francis (Bob) Ford of Dixon, IL; his sister-in-law, Sandy Owens of Rockford, IL; his grandchildren, Kayla, Steven, Dustin, Jennifer, Brandon, Mercedes, Erik, Blake, Zachary, Natasha, and Trina; all the other children that called him Dad over the years; and many other relatives and friends.

     Butch was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Glenn and Dorothy Foster; his mother, Orcelia Owens; his brother, Lloyd Owens Jr.; and a nephew, Glenn Owens Jr.

     Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Reverend Paul Plowman officiating. Burial will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Shamrock Union Cemetery, Shamrock, WI.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Franklin Street entrance, on Monday from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of services.