Eugene N. “Gene” Osborn, Jr., 86, of Morrison, IL, died Friday, July 1, 2016, at Resthave Home in Morrison.
Gene was born January 16, 1930, in Van Nuys, CA, to Eugene N. and Catherine B. (Stuckey) Osborn, Sr. He went to 16 schools, moving many times because of the Depression, and lived in several states. During the war, the family lived in Sacramento, CA, and Gene graduated from McClatchy High School in 1947. After graduation, the family moved to Pittsfield, MA, and Gene started working for G. E. in September 1947, ending his career in 1990. In 1951, he joined the U. S. Army. While stationed in Chicago, IL, met his future wife, Marian Laping, at the USO on July 4, 1951. After assignments in Germany, he returned home, and he and Marian were married in Chicago on November 27, 1954. They lived in Hinsdale, MA; Cincinnati, OH; Ft. Wayne, IN; Cleveland, OH, before moving to Morrison in 1959. Gene was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder and Sunday School teacher for many years. He was also a Cub Master and coach of Little League and 13-years-old baseball teams. He was active in the JC’s, Toastmasters, and Lion’s Club. Gene was a great story teller, loved to travel in his trailer, enjoyed photography, and was a avid Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls fan.
Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marian; six children, Carol Burns (PA), Bruce and his wife Susan (CO), Wayne and his wife Robin (WA), Andrew (Germany), Glenn and his wife Laura (NJ), and Roger and his wife Sheila (Morrison); 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren;three stepgrandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary (Bert) Fister (KY) and Patricia Stoddard (FL.)
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Marianne Ethel; sister Catherine Eldridge; brother-in-law, William Eldridge; brother-in-law Don Stoddard; three infant grandsons.
FUNERAL: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL
OFFICIATING: Rev. Dr. Michael Selburg, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Immediately following the service and burial, the church will be hosting a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Morrison, IL, or Self Help of Sterling, IL.