Norman Osburn

Norman Lee Osburn, 82, of rural Elk City, passed away Friday, September 20, at Eagle Estates in Independence, where he had resided for two weeks.

Funeral services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 26, at the First Christian Church of Elk City, with Pastors Gene Benefiel and Randy Beeman officiating. Graveside services will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Visitation is scheduled at Potts Chapel, 122 S. Penn, Independence, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, and the family will receive visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions are welcome to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, or a charity of the donor’s choice in remembrance of Norman.

Norman was born January 20, 1937, in Morehead, Kansas, to Philip S. and Leona Belva (Montross) Osburn. He attended school in Elk City through eighth grade, before contracting a serious illness that prevented him from continuing. He later earned a high school equivalency diploma.

On June 19, 1954, he married Margaret May Newton in Independence. The couple lived in Independence for a brief period before moving to Idaho, where Norman worked on a potato farm, and the couple welcomed their first child, Stephen, in 1955.

The couple later returned to Kansas, settling in rural Elk City, and have lived in their current home since 1961. Three more children followed, Pamela in 1956, Norma Sue in 1957 and Joanne in 1968.

Norman was employed for a period at Electra Manufacturing in Independence but spent the majority of his life crop farming and raising livestock in rural Elk City, until ill health in recent years caused him to slow down. He was a former Montgomery County committee member for the Farm Service Agency, and over the years enjoyed bowling, playing cards with friends, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and especially spending time with his large family. He was a member, deacon and elder of the First Christian Church of Elk City.

Norman is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret, of the home, and his four children: Steve Osburn and wife Jane, rural Elk City; Pam Watkins and husband Kevin, rural Independence; Susie Tull and husband Randy, Independence; Joanne Smith and husband Mike, Independence. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and their families: Carey Chism and fiancé John Keath, children Avery and Wyatt Chism, Kelsi Keath, Kyle Keath and wife Haley and daughter Klara; Doug Davidson and wife Jenny, sons Jazen Russell and William Whittley and wife Baelin and son Keaton; Amie Pedroza and husband Eric; Allison Osburn; Brace Osburn and wife Heather and daughter Amelia;  Remington Tull; Madeline, Cortlan and Claire Cox; two step-grandchildren, Jacey and Trace Smith. He is also survived by one brother, Philip Osburn, of Elk City; one sister, Phyllis Hayes, of Santa Rosa, California; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Anna Hull and Joyce Ledermann.