BETHANY, MO: Ervin Victor “Chick” Osborn, 94, passed away peacefully June 15, 2017 at the Bethany Care Center. He received kind and gentle care from the Care Center staff and Harrison County Hospice staff. Chick was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
Chick was born on August 10, 1922 at the Wood Hospital in Bethany, MO to Paul Victor and Alma Jane (Foster) Osborn. He was welcomed by sister Beulah Lurola. Brother Howard Edmond completed the family 18 months later.
Chick married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Cole on October 21, 1945. They were happily married 59 years until Betty’s death in 2005. They had three children, Diana Lea, Terri Kay, and Ervin Cole.
As a boy, Chick helped in his father’s blacksmith/mechanic shop. Following his Bethany High School graduation in 1941, Chick attended Maryville Teachers College for a year and a half before joining the Navy. He reported to Iowa State University in Ames, IA to study engineering in the V-12 program. Chick earned his BS degree in Civil Engineering in June 1948. He remained an additional two years at ISU to study architecture. Chick and Betty returned to Bethany to begin his career with Cole & Myers, Inc., Cole & Osborn Farms, Inc., and Davis-Snyder Quarries.
Chick’s love for his community resulted in active participation in many civic and business organizations. He served in various capacities for Cole & Myers Oil Co., Cole & Osborn Farms, Noll Memorial Hospital, BTC Bank, Bethany Republican Clipper, United Methodist Church, Bethany Country Club, NW MO State Fair Association, Harrison Co. Sheltered Workshop Association, Harrison Co. Development Corp., Bethany Lodge 92 of the Free Masons and Shriners, and Bethany Rotary Club. Chick served as City Councilman and on the board of South Harrison R2 School District.
Flying his Maule Tail-dragger airplane was Chick’s favorite pastime for many years. He was always involved in projects from making his leaded glass artwork to designing, drawing plans and/or supervising construction of many buildings in the community.
Boy Scouts of America, Pony Express Council, was a lifelong love. It began as a boy receiving his Eagle Scout Award in 1937. Chick continued his scouting career into adulthood serving on various commissions and boards including Council Executive Board and the National Council Board. He received his Silver Beaver Award in 1977.
In 1937, Chick was inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, receiving the name “Little Iron Man”. In 1975 he was elevated to the rank of Chieftain.
Preceding Chick in death are his parents Paul and Alma, his wife Betty, daughter Diana (Osborn) Wheeler, sister Beulah Osborn, brother and wife Howard and Lucille (Dale) Osborn and his great grandson, Maxwell Ervin Wheeler.
Chick is survived by daughter Terri (Hal) Boggess, Chillicothe, MO, son Cole (Linda) Osborn, Bethany, MO, son-in-law Paul (Carol) Wheeler, Overland Park, KS, six grandchildren Cole (Megan) Wheeler, Kansas City, KS, Seth (Natasha) Boggess, Normal, IL, Justin Wheeler, Portland, OR, Gwen (Todd) “Boggess” Luzader, Gardner, KS, Jesse Osborn, Wichita, KS, Madeline Osborn, Bethany, MO, eight great grandchildren, and two nieces Claudia (Bill) “Osborn” Gott, Donna, TX, and Debra (Corwin) “Osborn” Henry, Lathrop, MO.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Boy Scouts Of America in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com