| Graduation Year | Class of 1937 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 31, 2012 |
| About | OSBORN, CHIEF (RET), THOMAS BURTON, 93 of Englewood, Fl. Formerly of Muncie, In. died August 31, 2012. Thomas Burton Osborn was born on the family farm in Rush County, Indiana on June 26, 1919 to Bert and Myrtle Osborn. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1937. On April 7, 1940, he married his High School sweetheart Martha L. Haydon. Tom joined the Indiana State Police in 1941. When the WWII started he joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was a Radio Gunner on B-17's and B-29's. After the war he rejoined the Indiana State Police and served out of the Connersville, Indiana Post. He also worked for USS & G and the Schnadig Corp of International Furniture Company in Rushville as Personnel Manager and Director of Fleet Safety for nine plants. In 1957 he heard that Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana was looking for someone to build a Police Department and develop Vehicle Registration at the University. He was hired as the "founding" Chief of the Ball State Police Department. He retired in 1983 after 26 years of dedicated service, as Director of Traffic, Safety, and Security, Emeritus. Tom and Martha Osborn had been married 37 years when she passed away in 1978. In 1979 Tom married Jacqueline (Miessler) Lawrence. They had 33 years of a very happy marriage. After Tom's retirement they moved to Englewood, Florida. Tom came out of retirement and received his Captains License and spent the next 25 years as a Boat Captain for Palm Island Resort at Cape Haze, Florida. He also kept busy with golf, boating, and RVing. He and Jacquie traveled all over the U.S. and often back to Indiana to visit family and friends. Tom was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, teaching safe boating and going on patrols to help people in trouble on the water. He was a Life Member of the Elk's; NRA, (at one-time, the International Small Arms Champion); US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 87 of Englewood, Fl.; Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity; and Wildflower Golf Club, in Englewood, Fl. He had been predeceased by his first wife Martha L. Haydon, his parents Bert and Myrtle Osborn, his brother John Osborn, and Grandson-in-law Ryan Holmes. He is survived by his loving wife Jacquie; twin daughters, Barbara (Bruce) Penrod of Crown Point, In. and Patricia (Frank) Trost of Indianapolis, In.; daughter Rebecca (Ben) Bales of Muncie, In; daughter Mary Lynn (Ronald) Grumbacher of Indianapolis, In.; sons Thomas (Susan) Osborn of Louisville, Ky; and stepsons, John B. (Karen) Lawrence; and James T. (fiancée Lisa) Lawrence of Nashville, In; sister-in-law Alice (John) Osborn; niece and two nephews. He was proud to say he had "seven" kids, "seventeen" grandkids; and "twenty four" great-grandkids, He loved each and every one of them very much! Graveside Services and Military Honors will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday September 12th at East Hill Cemetery in Rushville, IN with Pastor Jan Dimick burial along side Tom's beloved Martha. Memorials may be sent to Tidewell Hospice (Englewood), 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, Fl. 34238 or the Alzheimer's Assoc., 4075 Tamiami Trail #2, Port Charlotte, Fl. 33952. The family would especially like to thank Sterling House, Brookdale Senior Living of Rotonda West, Florida and Tidewell Hospice of Englewood, Florida for all they have done to make Tom's last days comfortable and for the assistance and compassion they have provided to the family! |
