Francis Osborn

Francis Osborn, 87, of Mascoutah, IL, born on Aug. 4, 1929 in Valmeyer, IL, passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, IL.

Francis was a member of Operating Engineers Local 520 for over 70 years, the oldest and longest member.  He was the president and business agent of 3000 members.  He attended Washington University and graduated with a business management degree from SIU.

Mr. Osborn was a member of Kaskaskia Masonic and Mascoutah Masonic Lodges, and three time Worshipful Master; a 32 degree Shriner; Shriner’s Hospital tour volunteer; a member and V. P. membership for St. Clair Serra Club; VFW; member of the Moose; American Legion; had four Governor of Illinois appointments for the KRPD Dam Council; Mississippi Valley Ducks Unlimited; Wild Turkey Federation; Eastern Star where he was Worthy Patron four times; Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah; Knights of Columbus member; Holy Childhood Men’s Organization; Holy Childhood Bible Class; Jr. Chamber of Commerce of Collinsville; Banjo Club; IUOE Local 520 Retiree Club; KIDC; KRPD; Delta Water Fowl; Cub Scout Leader; served our nation’s military in the U. S. Army in Korea and Japan during the Korean Conflict 1951-1953; was a bowler; golfer; and president of PTA at his children’s schools.

Francis and Kay loved education and travel; both of them and their four children all attended Universities.  Francis and Kay traveled all 50 states; took five cruises, one to Mexico City, Mexico and Acapulco; drove all the Provinces of Canada; saw Europe; sailed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans; visited four of the five Great Lakes; and Panama and Venezuela canals.

Francis is survived by his wife, Kay Francis, nee Adamson, whom he married on Feb. 12, 1953 at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Glen Carbon, IL; four children, Daniel Francis (Nancy) Osborn of Edwardsville, IL, Laura (Alex Viceral) Osborn of Dallas, TX, Laurance (Petra) Osborn of Belleville, IL, and Martha (Daniel) Holloway of Shiloh, IL; six grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah Kay, Paige, and Lance Osborn, Haydn Holloway, Caitlin Osborn, all at a University at this time, or are out of school; a sister, Ethel Gieseking of Grantfork, IL; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Adamson of Maryville, IL.

Francis always laughed at his grade school jobs – raising 500 rabbits for meat during WWII, a dog bitten paper route, and the one he hated - cleaning chickens coops.

Mr. Osborn suffered from bone cancer, but went fishing and hunting with his paralyzed son, because his firm belief was “life is too great to just waste by waiting to die”.

Those who knew Francis loved him and it was amazing that everyone seemed to know him.

Francis loved Mascoutah because everyone waves at you, and you wave back, and no one is a stranger.  He loved our town people and all the kindness and help they gave to him unasked, especially his pie-friend, and especially after his son was robbed, shot and paralyzed, and needed help - it was always there.

In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Visitation: friends may visit from 9 to 11 AM Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah, IL.

Memorial Mass: a memorial Mass will follow the visitation and will be held at 11 AM on Saturday with Bishop Stanley Schlarman and Father Paul Wienhoff officiating.  A private burial with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date with a double ceremony as Francis and Kay agreed they traveled together, and especially to the last wonderful location they hope to go forever together.