Howard Earl Osborn, a resident of the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown, OH for two months, passed away from a short illness that was complicated by Alzheimer's on December 17, 2023, at age 89. Fifteen years to the day of his brother Glenn passing. Howard was born on August 26, 1934, as the seventh of eight children to Emery G. and Mary Etta Sheldon Osborn, in rural Midland, OH. He graduated from Jefferson Township School in 1952 and enlisted in the US Navy in 1953. On August 13, 1954, he married Virginia Kimberling in Tipton, IA. During his time with the Navy, Howard attended boot camp in San Diego, CA; AP school in Norman, OK; AD school in Memphis, TN; Chase Field NAAS, Beeville, TX; and served on a Far East Six-Month Tour on the USS Shangri La Aircraft Carrier. After separating from the Navy in Alameda, CA in 1957, Howard enlisted in the US Air Force, spending five years at Chanute AFB, IL. His Air Force career also included time at Wright Patt Air Force Base in the SAC 17th Bomb Wing near Dayton, OH; performing recruiting duties out of Cincinnati, OH and Madison, WI; and a one-year tour at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, before retiring as a Tech Sergeant in August 1973.

During his retirement, Howard was an avid farmer, drove a bus for Blanchester schools for eight years and served for 12 years as a Jefferson Township Trustee. He was a member of the Westboro United Methodist Church, AFSA, South End 10 Farm Bureau, and Clinton County Farm Bureau. Howard enjoyed going out to eat at restaurants, taking trips out West, and visiting friends and family (including attending family reunions) throughout the country. He loved to tinker around on the farm, ride his tractors, visit Kings Island with his grandkids, watch western films, read the newspaper, and tell silly jokes. He was creative and thoughtful, with a big heart and loving blue eyes.

Howard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia; two sons, Kent Osborn of Iowa Falls, IA and Scott (Jeanie) Osborn of Brinson, GA; one daughter, Vicki (Tom) Duski of Mooresville, NC; two grandchildren, Stephanie and Michael Duski; and many nieces and nephews. As the last and longest surviving of his siblings, Howard was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Glenn, Bob, and Everett; four sisters, Dorothy Anderson, Ruby Jacobs, Gladys Chastain, and Mary E. Morrow.

The funeral service will be held at 12pm on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Westboro Community Church, 110 Jonesboro Rd, Midland, OH 45148, where friends will be received from 10am until the time of service.

Interment will take place at Westboro Cemetery, Jefferson Townhip, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Westboro Community Church, 110 Jonesboro Rd, Midland, Ohio 45148 and/or a charity of your choice.