60, vice president of business development for Sloan Valve Co., died Jan. 6 of pulmonary fibrosis. He joined Sloan Valve in 1965 at age 19 as a castings inspector at its Melrose Park, IL foundry. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to Sloan's order department in 1968 and was named manager of the department in 1976. Owen was promoted to plumbing parts sales manager in 1982, then served in regional and national sales manager positions over the next two decades. He had held his current title since 2003. “He created an image built on his personal integrity, wisdom and devotion to Sloan,” Chuck Allen, president/CEO of Sloan Valve Co., said in a statement. He served as a teacher and mentor to many individuals at Sloan, Allen noted. Owen is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
Herb Lindahl
Former president of State Industries, died Jan. 3. He joined State Stove and Manufacturing Co. shortly after it was founded by his older brother, John R. Lindahl, in 1946. He was instrumental in the company's growth and served as president for many years, until State Industries was acquired.
