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A deceased family member was immortalized with a hidden message on his gravestone that a cemetery in Iowa found offensive.
Steven “Stevie” Paul Owens, who was a lifelong Cubs and Steelers fan who “loved his conversation with a shot of Fireball,” died at the age of 59 on Sept. 2, 2021.
He was interred at the Warren-Powers Cemetery in Polk County.
According to Owens' daughter, Lindsay Owens Andrews, he was a charismatic individual who often jokingly used the phrase "F*ck off" as a "term of endearment."
His son Zachary added they would often try and coerce him into using the phrase.
So how could it be left off his eternal resting place?
\u201cSecret message hidden in plain sight on Steven Paul Owens headstone angers Iowa cemetery. https://t.co/h7WnabFOA7\u201d— \ud835\udc0a\ud835\udc02 \ud835\udc0e'\ud835\udc03\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc1a \ud835\udc0f\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc26 (@\ud835\udc0a\ud835\udc02 \ud835\udc0e'\ud835\udc03\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc1a \ud835\udc0f\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc26) 1655464678
“He’s easily riled up," said Zachary. "It was always a goal of some sort to have him tell you to do this."
\u201cFamily's hidden rude message on dad's headstone doesn't impress cemetery staff #Iowa \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23 guy is a legend \n\nhttps://t.co/QjQ32RZpOK\u201d— Doorsy aka Scally/Vampmam (@Doorsy aka Scally/Vampmam) 1655440045
The family decided to honor Owens with one last joke by incorporating the phrase on his headstone with strategically placed letters at the beginning of each line.
The tribute to Owens read as follows:
"Forever in our hearts
"until we meet again"
"cherished memories"
"known as"
"Our son, brother"
"father, papa, uncle"
"friend, & cousin"
When the first letters are read vertically, it reads, "F*ck off."
You can watch a news report, here.
Social media users appreciated Owens getting his last laugh.
\u201cThis stupid & it's none of anyone's business...It's not really noticeable @ first glance...It's not demeaning...Walk on by....I hope stone stays as is! \nFamily hid sassy message on dad\u2019s headstone. It\u2019s causing a stir at Iowa cemetery https://t.co/IIp9DKqteM via @YahooNews\u201d— DeniseGreenlJackrel (@DeniseGreenlJackrel) 1655436367
\u201cI will never have a headstone but if I did, this would be it. \n\nhttps://t.co/F6gSzhHbKr\u201d— Megan Smith (@Megan Smith) 1655341094
\u201cI am thinking this would work for my tombstone when the time comes...\n\nhttps://t.co/b9FlnxVVKa\u201d— Working hard, because others won't (@Working hard, because others won't) 1655390648
\u201ca new definition of a last laugh \ud83d\ude39 \n\nhttps://t.co/kQzTJcX5Cr\u201d— Ira Rothenberg (he/him) (@Ira Rothenberg (he/him)) 1655492897
\u201cThis is genius\u2026They wanted to share the remembered person\u2019s personality. Love it\n\nhttps://t.co/1f4NM8igEB\u201d— Larry S (@Larry S) 1655394927
However, the NSFW headstone made Warren-Powers Cemetery, and other families of the deceased laid to rest nearby clutch their pearls.
The Owens family was strongly advised against placing the stone on cemetery grounds, but they did it anyway.
The cemetery is located in Camp Township and is overseen by their Board of Trustees, according to WHO 13.
The Board said in an emailed statement that they don't allow profanity on monuments because “those others who have a place in the cemetery have the right of decency afforded to them."
The statement added on behalf of the those opposed to the monument:
“They do not want nor do they appreciate the stone being in the cemetery. This community will not stop until they have the headstone removed.”
\u201cWhoever had a problem with this needs to fuck off https://t.co/pilAEkammR\u201d— Urok Grimwolf (@Urok Grimwolf) 1655384147
\u201c@CNN Not your family member don\u2019t read it and get upset. Did you ask the family if it was intentional. If so, so what. They paid for it. Maybe the guy wrote his own wishes. Calm down and move on with your day!\u201d— CNN (@CNN) 1655710208
\u201c@CNN The Owens family should tell the town to do exactly what the late Mr. Owens tombstone says.\u201d— CNN (@CNN) 1655710208
\u201c@CNN When (if) you go to a cemetery do you go to look at (and read) all the headstones? Why?\u201d— CNN (@CNN) 1655710208
\u201c@CNN I don\u2019t have an issue with it, in fact I didn\u2019t even notice the swear phrase until it was pointed out\u201d— CNN (@CNN) 1655710208
Community members are now pursuing legal action to have the monument removed, but the Owens family is hoping all sides can come to an agreement in order to have the stone remain on cemetery grounds.
The family said they had no intention of offending anyone with the tribute to their father and added "it is who he is.”