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Cemetery Controversy Grows After Hidden Message Is Discovered on Memorial
The controversy stems from the gravestone of Iowa resident Steven Paul Owens at the Warren-Powers Cemetery. While intended to honor him with a comical tribute, the monument's engraving secretly spells out a profane, two-word message vertically through an acrostic. This has deeply divided the local community and cemetery officials.
The Details of the Tribute
The Engraving:
The front of the stone reads: "Forever in our hearts / Until we meet again / Cherished memories / Known as / Our son, brother / Father, papa, uncle / Friend, & cousin".
The Hidden Message:
Reading the first letter of each of those lines vertically spells out the phrase "F*** OFFâ.
The Backside:
The other side of the stone includes the family saying, "If you donât listen, youâll have to feelâ.
The Family's Perspective
A Harmless Inside Joke:
Owensâ children, Lindsay and Zachary, stated the message was intentional and designed to match their father's signature sense of humor.
[1, 2]
A Term of Endearment:
The family explained he was a fun-loving but easily riled-up man, and getting him to say those two words was a running joke among his friends. They emphasized they never intended to hurt anyoneâs feelings and did it purely out of love.
The Cemetery's Stance
Violation of Policy:
The Camp Township Trustees, who manage the rural Polk County cemetery, were strongly opposed to the headstone from the beginning, arguing that profanity has no place in a final resting place.
Potential Removal:
Cemetery officials consulted with lawyers regarding their legal options to have the controversial headstone removed, though the monument company claimed an injunction would be needed to stop its installation.
The debate has drawn viral attention, leaving many torn between defending a familyâs right to remember a loved one on their own terms and respecting the cemetery's solemn environment
The Details of the Tribute
The Engraving:
The front of the stone reads: "Forever in our hearts / Until we meet again / Cherished memories / Known as / Our son, brother / Father, papa, uncle / Friend, & cousin".
The Hidden Message:
Reading the first letter of each of those lines vertically spells out the phrase "F*** OFFâ.
The Backside:
The other side of the stone includes the family saying, "If you donât listen, youâll have to feelâ.
The Family's Perspective
A Harmless Inside Joke:
Owensâ children, Lindsay and Zachary, stated the message was intentional and designed to match their father's signature sense of humor.
[1, 2]
A Term of Endearment:
The family explained he was a fun-loving but easily riled-up man, and getting him to say those two words was a running joke among his friends. They emphasized they never intended to hurt anyoneâs feelings and did it purely out of love.
The Cemetery's Stance
Violation of Policy:
The Camp Township Trustees, who manage the rural Polk County cemetery, were strongly opposed to the headstone from the beginning, arguing that profanity has no place in a final resting place.
Potential Removal:
Cemetery officials consulted with lawyers regarding their legal options to have the controversial headstone removed, though the monument company claimed an injunction would be needed to stop its installation.
The debate has drawn viral attention, leaving many torn between defending a familyâs right to remember a loved one on their own terms and respecting the cemetery's solemn environment
