Elda Jean “E.J.” Owsley, 88, of Owensboro passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, at her son’s home and under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of W. Kentucky. The Evansville native was born October 26, 1937, to the late Albert Matthias Willis and Clara Pearl Willis. E.J. graduated from Ballard Memorial High School, class of 1955. She was employed as a bookkeeper for almost forty years working at Medley and Glenmore Distillers. She ended her career in Louisville as a bookkeeper with the Jewish Federation. E.J. loved to travel to many locations, taking advantage of her time-share membership with her favorite destinations being Williamsburg, VA, Branson, MO, and Fairfield Glade, TN. She participated in her Tuesday night bowling league and enjoyed crocheting. E.J. was an avid UK Wildcat fan, and as is often the case in the Bluegrass state, would spar with her devoted UofL Cardinal son.
In addition to her parents, E.J. also was preceded in death by her siblings, Bobby Joe Willis and Earlene Rose Howard.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Mark Owsley and wife, Mary of Owensboro; three grandchildren and six great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be 2:00 pm Saturday, March 14, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm and Saturday from noon until 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at. www.stjude.org , Hospice and Palliative Care of W. Kentucky, or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Condolences and memories for E.J.’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.