HAMILTON - Eloise Ann Owen, 82, passed away on Oct. 6, 2024. Eloise was born in El Dorado, on April 9, 1942, to Loren Daniel Shepard and Juanita Alice Hatfield. She attended El Dorado schools and graduated in the Class of 1960. She was married on June 9, 1960, to Carl V. Owen, Jr. They made their home in El Dorado, then Belleville, then, in 1964, Eloise and Carl moved to Hamilton. Eloise worked for USD #390 as a bus driver from 1980 to 1995. She touched many children’s lives over the years while driving her daily school bus route, as well as for numerous field trips, athletic activities, class trips, and a Vo-Tech route. From 1996 to 1999, Eloise worked for Owen Trucking driving a dump truck before eventually starting C&E Trucking in 1999. She was an independent contractor and hauled asphalt for numerous paving companies over the years until her retirement in 2015. Eloise was a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church, the Janesville Cemetery Board, and was active in helping with the Hamilton Community Senior Center activities.

Eloise is preceded in death by her husband Carl Owen Jr., daughter Kara Lee Owen, parents Loren and Juanita Shepard, and brother Lewis Shepard. She is survived by son Matthew C. Owen (Judy) of Hamilton; daughter Carol E. Harris (Kurt) of Independence; granddaughter Elishya Johns (Matt) of Independence; granddaughter Erika Smith (Isaac) of Independence; grandson Clay Owen (Jessie) of Emporia and 10 great-grandchildren.

An informal graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2024, at Janesville Cemetery in Hamilton. A come-and-go Celebration of Life luncheon will be held at the Hamilton Community Center immediately following the service. All are welcome to attend. Memorial contributions can be made to Hamilton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 31, Hamilton, KS 66853. Contributions will go toward the church’s stained-glass window restoration, a project near and dear to Eloise.