Osborn, William J. 1895-1974

OSBORN, GROSS, MCDOWELL, ROOK, ERICKSON, STICKLES, WARNE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/21/2010 at 09:48:24

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa)

WILLIAM J. OSBORN

William J. Osborn,79, of 505 Broad St., Grinnell, died Friday morning, July 5, at Grinnell General Hospital.

The son of Samuel and Catherine Gross Osborn, he was born May 13 1895, southwest of Grinnell. He attended school near his home. On Dec. 25, 1915, he was married to Elizabeth McDowell. The couple had six children: Robert Osborn of Grinnell, Wayne Osborn of Des Moines, Mrs. Peter (Marie) Rook of Cypress, Calif., Keith Osborn of Marshalltown, Louise Osborn who died in infancy, and Katherine M. Osborn who died in 1937 at the age of 12.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Osborn farmed near Grinnell until 1938 when they moved to Grinnell. Mr. Osborn was employed by the city of Grinnell for more than 30 years and was head of the city's Street Department for a number of years. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, a member of the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department since 1942, chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in 1958, and president of the Iowa Firemen's Association in 1964.

Survivors include his four children; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Henry (Amy) Erickson of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth; his parents; his two daughters; one brother John Osborn; and two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Stickles and Mrs. Maude Warne.

Funeral services for Mr. Osborn were held at 1:30 p.m. today (Monday) at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Hugh A. Shiveley, pastor of the Grinnell First Baptist Church, officiating. Organist was Mrs. Willard Heffner. Pallbearers were Dave Barns, Dick Bortell, Keith Davis, Clarence Doud, Fred Taylor and Bob Thompson. Flowerbearers were Mrs. Clarence Doud and Mrs. Fred Taylor.

Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery.