Jon Owen Osheim (1943-1969)

OSHEIM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/23/2013 at 19:29:04

From Story City Herald February 12, 1969

Jon Owen Osheim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Osheim, was born on April 26, 1943 at Story City. He was raised on a farm in the community.

On June 6, 1943 he was baptized at the St. Petri Lutheran Church, Story City, by the Rev. S. t. Nelson. He was confirmed there on May 12, 1957 by the Rev. Ocee Johnson.

Jon attended Story City Public School. He participated in many extra curricular activities in high school and graduated in May 1961. He attended Waldorf Junior College at Forest City, Iowa for one year before transferring to the University of Northern, Iowa, Cedar Falls. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences and English in January 1966.

After receiving his teaching certificate he accepted his first teaching position at Lincoln Junior High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin. He taught a special course in basic academics and later seventh grace English and social studies. He served as chairman of these departments. He completed several studies and reports on individualized instruction and aiding disadvantaged students.

He was inducted into the army on June 24, 1968 and sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, for Basic Combat Training. He was then assigne to Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Hamilton, New York where he attended clerical school and the U. S. Army Chaplain's School respectively.

After several days leave at home on November 29, 1968, he lect for Viet Nam via Oakland, California. He arrived at Da Nang on December 4. He was temporarily assigned to the 1st Infantry Division Memorial Chapel at Di An before his last assignment with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe, serving as a chaplain's assistant.

On January 17, 1969, he was killed as the result of the crash of a military aircraft while conducting a military operation. PFC Osheim, as a chaplain's assistant, was taking part in the movement of a piece of playground equipment, a gift from his battalion of the 1st Infantry Division, to a nearby orphanage. The helicopter being employed for this mission developed mechanical trouble soon after the take-off when its tail stabalizer failed, resuling in complete loss of control. It crashed on the Army Base killing all aboard instantly.

Jon was lifetime member of the St. Petri Lutheran church and a member of the Luther League and the Choir.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Janury 27, at the St. Petri Lutheran Church in Story City with Pastor Aga officiating.

Military Honors were conducted by the U. S. Army, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas at the Story City Cemetery, place of interment.