1933
Dwaine
2014
Dwaine Lee "Biff" Osborn
August 21, 1933 — November 17, 2014
Dwaine Lee Osborn "Biff" lost his battle with cancer at 4:20 p.m. November 17, 2014, in his home with his wife, Maggie nearby.
Biff was born to Carl and Ruby (Gustin) Osborn in Swayzee, Indiana on August 21, 1933. He graduated from Swayzee High School in 1951, lettering in baseball and track. Biff went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 as a weapons instructor at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Along with Tom Wilhite and Jerry Maple, he founded the Deer Creek Conservation Club in 1961.
In 1963, Biff became a State Conservation Officer, serving as an officer and lieutenant. He was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Marion Evening Exchange Club in 1987 and the District 4 Officer of the Year in 1988. He always remarked he was very proud and honored to serve for the Department of Natural Resources as a law enforcement officer. He was very close to many of his fellow officers, especially, Tom Williams and Joe Rosa.
Biff was also an accomplished golfer, scoring two "holes in ones", at Bunker Hill Air Force Base Golf Course, and Shady Hills Golf Course. He also had three "eagles" in nine holes at Arbor Trace Golf Course. After retiring in 1993, having 30 years of service to the department, he opened "Biff Golf", a golf shop to buy, sell and trade golf equipment. He very much enjoyed golfing and hanging out with his "cast of cocoon" friends at the Elks, going to Panama City Beach Florida every February, the Marion Giants basketball games, his J & L buddies, going to the movies, eating out at many different restaurants, and spending time with his family.
On March 30, 1979, he married Margaret "Maggie" Decker. They celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary this past March. His previous wives were Doris Bachman and Sally Jacobs.
Biff has been a caring step-dad to Teresa and Tammi, Papaw to Taryn, Shelby, and Tobby, and great Papaw to Baby Brynn.
Biff is a member of Grace Community Church, where he was baptized by Dr. Tom Mansbarger; the Marion Elks Lodge #195; the N.R.A.; the U. S. Golf Association; the American Legion; R.I.P.E.A.; and A.A.R. P.
Survivors include: his wife, Maggie Osborn; step-daughters, Teresa (Joe) Canterbury and Tammi (Gary) Masiongale; sister, Sharon (Phil) Gross of Plainfield, Indiana; granddaughters, Taryn Masiongale, Shelby Canterbury of Burlington, Vermont; grandson, Tobby (Charlene Chaplin) Masiongale; sister-in-law, Paula Decker of Mishawaka, Indiana; step-sister, Nancy (Jim) Hubbard of Avon, Indiana; step-brother, Buddy (Sandy) Ellwanger of Speedway, Indiana, and son, Shannon (Lorraine) Osborn of Gosport, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana with Dr. Tom Mansbarger officiating.
Burial will follow funeral services in Thrailkill Cemetery, Swayzee, Indiana.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2014 in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Elks Lodge #195, 1100 Bond Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46952.
Online contributions may be made at www.ravenchoate.com
Biff was born to Carl and Ruby (Gustin) Osborn in Swayzee, Indiana on August 21, 1933. He graduated from Swayzee High School in 1951, lettering in baseball and track. Biff went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 as a weapons instructor at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Along with Tom Wilhite and Jerry Maple, he founded the Deer Creek Conservation Club in 1961.
In 1963, Biff became a State Conservation Officer, serving as an officer and lieutenant. He was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Marion Evening Exchange Club in 1987 and the District 4 Officer of the Year in 1988. He always remarked he was very proud and honored to serve for the Department of Natural Resources as a law enforcement officer. He was very close to many of his fellow officers, especially, Tom Williams and Joe Rosa.
Biff was also an accomplished golfer, scoring two "holes in ones", at Bunker Hill Air Force Base Golf Course, and Shady Hills Golf Course. He also had three "eagles" in nine holes at Arbor Trace Golf Course. After retiring in 1993, having 30 years of service to the department, he opened "Biff Golf", a golf shop to buy, sell and trade golf equipment. He very much enjoyed golfing and hanging out with his "cast of cocoon" friends at the Elks, going to Panama City Beach Florida every February, the Marion Giants basketball games, his J & L buddies, going to the movies, eating out at many different restaurants, and spending time with his family.
On March 30, 1979, he married Margaret "Maggie" Decker. They celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary this past March. His previous wives were Doris Bachman and Sally Jacobs.
Biff has been a caring step-dad to Teresa and Tammi, Papaw to Taryn, Shelby, and Tobby, and great Papaw to Baby Brynn.
Biff is a member of Grace Community Church, where he was baptized by Dr. Tom Mansbarger; the Marion Elks Lodge #195; the N.R.A.; the U. S. Golf Association; the American Legion; R.I.P.E.A.; and A.A.R. P.
Survivors include: his wife, Maggie Osborn; step-daughters, Teresa (Joe) Canterbury and Tammi (Gary) Masiongale; sister, Sharon (Phil) Gross of Plainfield, Indiana; granddaughters, Taryn Masiongale, Shelby Canterbury of Burlington, Vermont; grandson, Tobby (Charlene Chaplin) Masiongale; sister-in-law, Paula Decker of Mishawaka, Indiana; step-sister, Nancy (Jim) Hubbard of Avon, Indiana; step-brother, Buddy (Sandy) Ellwanger of Speedway, Indiana, and son, Shannon (Lorraine) Osborn of Gosport, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana with Dr. Tom Mansbarger officiating.
Burial will follow funeral services in Thrailkill Cemetery, Swayzee, Indiana.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2014 in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Elks Lodge #195, 1100 Bond Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46952.
Online contributions may be made at www.ravenchoate.com
Visitation Details
Wednesday, November 19th, 2014, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Raven-Choate Funeral Home
Service Details
Thursday, November 20th, 2014, 11:00am, Raven-Choate Funeral Home
Interment Details
Thrailkill Cemetery
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