Headstone with hidden swear word creates controversy

WASHINGTON (TND) — The loved ones of a man who recently died incorporated a swear word on his headstone.

The first letter from each line of text, when read from top to bottom at Steven Paul Owens’ gravesite at Warren-Powers Cemetery in Iowa, spells the two-word phrase, “F*** off.”

The full inscription reads, “Forever in our hearts, until we meet again, cherished memories, known as our son, brother, father, papa, uncle, friend, and cousin.”

The letters that spell out f*** off are positioned vertically, with one below the other to complete the phrase.

His family said it was a phrase he often used in jest.

It was definitely his term of endearment,” one of his loved ones told KCCI. “If he didn’t like you, he didn’t speak to you. It’s just who he was.”

Owens’ son shared similar sentiments.

It was always kind of a goal of some sort to get him to tell you to do this,” he said with a laugh.

But the incorporation of the word has resulted in controversy, as cemetery staff members are less than thrilled.

They told KCCI they were against the family using the term on the headstone and said the profanity has no place in a cemetery.

“How would you like to have your child, spouse, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin, your loved one or eventually you, have to be laid to rest next to that for eternity?” the Camp Township Trustees said in a statement.

The family said they hope they don’t have to replace the headstone, despite the fact that some people find it offensive. They said they didn’t intend to upset anyone.

No one’s forcing anyone to come out and look at it,” Owens’ son said. “That’s a choice that you make. We didn’t do it to offend anyone, to make anyone mad (or) hurt anyone’s feelings. We did it because it was our father, and we love him and that’s the way we remember him.”

Owens' obituary was published online. It notes that he died Sept. 2, 2021 "to go play Yahtzee in Heaven with his mom."

The obituary also notes that he enjoyed fishing, playing flag football, and slow-pitch softball, as well as coaching his children and attending their events. He also adored his grandchildren.

He worked at Highland Memory Gardens and Pine Hill Cemeteries and was also employed and retired from the printing industry.