Denis Osborn Obituary

Denis William Osborn

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

Denis was born December 17, 1934, in Cleveland, 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 degree in teaching 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 graduating 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 an 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 dishwasher 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 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 935 West Bigelow Ave, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Calling hour at 3 p.m., Service at 4 p.m., with a meal to follow.

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

Online condolences may be expressed to family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com