Anita Joyce Owens

Anita Joyce Owens                       “beloved mother, grandmother, and sister”

COSTELLO, PA---Anita Joyce Owens, 90, a longtime resident of Costello, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a brief illness.

Born on Saturday, August 3, 1935 in Sizerville, she was a daughter of Earl Sr. and Mildred Kephart Zimmer. On May 19, 1955, she married Gene R. “Weiner” Owens, who passed away in December of 2000.

Anita was a graduate of Cameron County High School in Emporium, Class of 1954. She was employed at Sylvania in Emporium from 1953 to 1955. She later served as Portage Township Auditor and also served on the Portage Township Election board for 20 years.

Anita was a member of the former Austin-Costello United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and a Bible School teacher for many years. She later attended the Austin Free Methodist Church. She enjoyed camping, knitting and crocheting. She made afghans and slippers for her children and grandchildren. She was a Girl Scout leader in Austin. Anita was one of the founding members of the Austin Dam Association and the Austin Community Club. She was a great cook and very much enjoyed cooking for family gatherings. She always had a pot of coffee or a pot of tea to offer anyone visiting. She loved to read, including history, life stories, and romance.

Anita was loved by all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren were an important part of her life. She shared her home to family and friends, especially if they were in need. Her greatest love was her family.

Left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Jacquelyn E. “Jackie” Owens-Shepard of Costello, Carla M. (Rob) McKeirnan of Austin, and Brita J. (Jim) Nichols of Austin; thirteen grandchildren, Veronica Owens-Knight, Branden Shepard, Joshua Owens, Shane McKeirnan, Travis McKeirnan, Daniel McKeirnan, Karen McKeirnan-Lamar, Brian McKeirnan, Craig Losey, Dorothy Nichols, Brandy Nichols-Garzel, James Nichols, Jr. and Caleb Nichols; many great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Earl Zimmer, Jr., Charles “Butch” (Marlene) Zimmer, and Guy (Marlene) Zimmer, all of Emporium; three sisters, Carol Zimmer-Ripple of Penfield, Patricia (Fred) Roberto of Emporium, and LouAnn (Joe) Gabersack of Eldred; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Anita was predeceased by a grandson, Tadd Goodenough; a great-grandson, Landen Shepard; two brothers, Daniel Zimmer and Curtis Zimmer; and a sister, Marlee Zimmer Gross.

Private services will be held by the family.

Anita will be laid to rest with her husband in the Burleson Cemetery, Costello.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Anita’s name may be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Anita’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Anita, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.