Denis William Osborn

Denis William Osborn,90, went peacefully to his final rest on July 25, 2025, at the Bridge Hospice Care Center with his daughter, Bethany, at his side.

Denis was born on December 17th, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio to Edgar Thomas Osborn and Elsie Elizabeth Osborn (nee Hokes).

He graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in 1953 and joined the Navy. Denis served as a radarman on the USS Dortch, a destroyer, which took him on a world cruise on the Atlantic. He transferred to the USS Dennis J. Buckley, another destroyer, in California and traveled to the Pacific. When he was discharged in 1957, he was a first-class petty officer, a rank few achieved in a four-year span.

Denis went to Hiram College using the GI Bill, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. Following graduation from Hiram, he attended Oberlin College where he earned his Master's in Teaching Degree in 1964.

During summers in college, Denis enjoyed working as a chauffeur for a Cleveland businessman, a groom for racehorses for a Cleveland industrialist and served as a coal passer on the Great Lakes cargo ships.

After graduation from Oberlin, Denis married Nancy Ann Sebastian in Oberlin Chapel. They moved to Hancock County, both obtaining teaching positions, Denis at Liberty Benton School for science and biology classes. He taught there for 26 years, retiring in 1990. Following retirement, he taught as a adjunct professor at the University of Findlay during which he received the Academic Achievement Award for Adjunct Faculty in 1996 for Excellence in Teaching. He retired from U of F in 1998.

Denis and Nancy were married 61 years and raised three children on a farm just outside Findlay. Denis loved the farm and found great peace and contentment there. The two of them joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1971 and became active members, joining the church choir, teaching Sunday School and working with several committees. Denis was also a faithful dish washer and coffee maker in the church kitchen when needed.

Denis was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Eleanor (nee Putnat), his brothers, Norman and Donald and his sister, Gerry Butts.

Surviving family are his wife, Nancy, sons Christian and Eon (Angela), daughter Bethany Ward (Mike), and his sister Linda Dietrich (Robert, deceased), and grandchildren Peyton, Olivia, and Aidan Osborn and Trent and Taylor Ward.

Denis, most of all, is to be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, teacher and friend, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 935 West Bigelow Ave, Saturday September 20th. Calling hour at 3:00pm, Service at 4:00pm with a meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Bridge Home Health & Hospice of Findlay, St. Jude, Wounded Warriors, and Trinity Lutheran Church of Findlay.

Online condolences may be expressed ot the family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com

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