About Paws To Remember
We are a full-service pet funeral home and flameless pet cremation service located in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
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The caring and experienced professionals at Paws to Remember are here to support you through this difficult time. You can count on us to help you plan a personal, lasting tribute to your loved pet.
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You are welcome to call us at any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance.
Our Heritage
At McElyea and Owens Funeral Group, we take great pride in caring for our families and we know pets are family too, that is why we added Paws to Remember to our Funeral Group.
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Why We Are Different
We utilize a flameless cremation technology known as Alkaline Hydrolysis. Rather than intense heat to incinerate remains to ash, Alkaline Hydrolysis is a much gentler process that is also eco-friendly. Our cremation process emits absolutely no toxins and 'greenhouse gases" into the atmosphere. Learn more about our flameless pet cremation service here.
Honor Your Pet Without Harming The Enviroment
Meet The Team
Robert Owens
Co-Owner-Funeral Director and Memorial Care Specialist
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Robert Owens was born in Shawnee, graduated from Shawnee High School in 1973, and has been a part of Shawnee area funeral service for many years. Robert first started in funeral service in 1998 when he joined his father, Bob Owens, at Gaskill Funeral Chapel where Bob faithfully served for over 54 years.
He began in the funeral business by selling pre-arranged funerals at both Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home of Shawnee. Robert attended college at The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and received a BS degree in funeral service. Later, Robert worked as Market Sales Manager for the Alderwoods Group, serving as a marketing manager for over 60 funeral homes and 13 cemeteries over a 3 state area. He later returned to Shawnee in the capacity as General Manager of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park of Shawnee.
Shortly after 2003, Robert moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma where he was employed by Shurden Funeral Homes in Henryetta and Okmulgee. Robert worked as a location manager for Shurden’s until 2008. In 2009, he partnered with two other funeral directors in Henryetta and built and managed a brand new funeral home, Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta. It continues to operate successfully today.
In 2020, Robert partnered with long-time friend and funeral director Mike McElyea to open McElyea & Owens Funeral Group and is glad to be back living in Shawnee again.
Robert is married to Detria Owens. He has two sons, Jud Owens and Jared Owens, who live with their wives in Edmond, Oklahoma and Georgetown, Texas. He also has a step-daughter, Shanna Anderson of Morris. Robert has 3 grandsons and 1 grandaughter.
Mike McElyea
Co-Owner-Funeral Director and Memorial Care Specialist
Mike McElyea grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and at the age of 18 began in the funeral industry in 1990 with Parks Brothers Funeral Homes in Lincoln County, working alongside his grandmother and uncle.
In July 1992 he married Jana Tetirick and they moved to Dallas, Texas, where he began the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 1993.
Following his education, he returned to Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague serving as a funeral Director. In 1995 he began working for Bob Owens at the Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel and Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Shawnee, Oklahoma, serving as a funeral director and later as General Manager.
In 2004 he began working for Roberts Funeral Home in Blackwell, Oklahoma. In 2015 He began with Primrose Funeral Service as the location manager. In 2017 Mike began with Tribute Memorial Care in Norman and returning to their sister locations at Parks Brothers. In 2021 He returned to his hometown of Shawnee and with friend and business partner Robert Owens they began McElyea and Owens Funeral Group.
Mike is a member of the Kiwanis Club in Shawnee and is attends Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee and Immanuel Baptist Church in Norman where he is involved in the sound ministry.
Mike is married to Jana, and they have two children, Brandon, and Caitlyn.