Wilbur T. Osborne, son of Howard M. Osborne and Grace (Wilson) Osborne was born on December 24, 1916 at 11:30 P.M. in the home of his Grandfather, Jarome M. Osborne., M.D. in Denver, MO. He passed away on August 20. 2023 in Grant City MO at the age of 106.
He grew up in the Allendale, MO area attending school there for twelve years. He graduated from Grant City High School. He later graduated from Northwest Missouri State University.
In August 1941 Wilbur joined the United States Naval Reserve. While awaiting the call to active duty he taught at Worth High School.
He was called to active duty in August 1942 and attended Midshipman School at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and Northwest University in Evanston, IL. He was commissioned Ensign December 1942.
His first naval duty was at Portland, ME where he served as a costal minesweeper. He commanded the USS YP 210 A Costal Craft at Portland, ME. He later commanded the USS LCI (L) 402, a training ship in the Chesapeake Bay. He later commanded the USS LCI (G) 810 in the main assault on Okinawa on April 1, 1945, and assaults on two smaller Islands.
In June 1946 Will was released from Active Reserve. In the fall of 1946 he enrolled in School of Law in Columbia, MO, receiving his degree in 1949. While in law school he took two cruises in the Naval Reserve during the summer months.
In April 1950 Will married Madeline Jarboe. To this union two children were born, Thomas and Cynthia. The family resided in Kansas City, MO, Chicago, IL and Fort Wayne, IN.
Will retired from Farmers Insurance Group in 1978, returning to Worth County where he served as Associate Circuit Judge for eight years.
He lived the last years of his life in Grant City, Mo and found great joy farming the land, raising cattle, making fence, cutting brush and wood. During those years he had several reunions with his crew from LCL (L) 402.
Will joined the First Christian Church of Grant City in 1935. After returning to Grant City he served as Elder, Trustee and in other capacities in the church. He served as Chairman of the Board and a member of the Community Services Inc. for over twenty years. He also served on the Board of the Worth County Convalescent Center and St. Joseph Psychiatric Hospital. He was secretary of the Allendale Lodge 198, as well as secretary and treasurer of the Gentry-Worth Gideons; and financial officer of the American Legion; member of the SSM Hospice in Maryville, MO and treasurer of the Worth County NCRS.
Will was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Grace Osborne, brother Wilson, wife Madeline, son-in-law Robert Wharton, niece Judith and her husband Ronald McNeese, and nephew-in-law Darrell Lamb.
He leaves a son Thomas, wife Birgit and their daughter Grace, all of San Diego, CA, daughter Cynthia Renee Wharton of Raytown, MO, great-nephew Craig wife Gina McNeese, great-niece, Angela Lamb, all of Grant City, MO, as well as many friends. He will be missed by family and friends for his friendship, many acts of kindness and compassion.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial with military rites will be in the Kirk Cemetery at Allendale, MO. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Grant City Food Pantry, Grant City Christian Church, or Masonic Lodge.
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