Donald Roger Osborne

Donald Roger Osborne, 88, of Wilmington, Ohio passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025.  Up until the end, Don maintained his kindness, integrity, compassion, and deep love for his family and his Lord.

Don was born March 22, 1937 in Eubank, Kentucky, son of the late Clarence Osborne and Mary Eldridge Osborne.  Don’s youth was spent in Kentucky where he spent his free time learning how things work.  He liked to take things apart and put them back together- sometimes creating something new like an electric lawnmower.   Don moved to Dayton immediately following his 1955 graduation from Memorial High School. 

He began his career at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where he met his wife Sondra.  They went on to marry in 1957.  Don eventually worked for Defense Electronics Supply Company in the microcircuit division, where he retired.  Don was known for his integrity, work ethic, and his incredible skill in electronics, mechanics, and carpentry. 

Don was a man of faith.  He and Sondra raised their kids attending Bethel Temple in Dayton, Ohio, and he and Sondra both sang in the church choir. 

In preparation for retirement, Don and Sondra purchased acreage in Wilmington, Ohio and built the home that would become the family farm to their children and grandchildren.  Many good memories were made on their farm, and Don was able to return to one of his favorite pastimes, engines.  Don loved finding broken down tractors and completely restoring them.  He also restored a 1923 Model T and joined a model T club.  He and Sondra enjoyed showing off their Model T in local parades. 

Don’s “baby” Sondra Gayle Osborne, preceded him in death November 30, 2017. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jeanette Osborne, his brother-in-law Pete Groseclose, and his sister, Lois Bryant.

Don’s survivors include his son, Mark Osborne of Colorado; daughters, Teresa Osborne Johnson and husband Thad of Illinois and Susan Osborne Young and husband Scott of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Ben Johnson and wife Amy, Lee Young and wife Ellen, Nick Johnson and wife Amanda, Clayton Young, Natalie Munch and husband Luke, Robbie Johnson, Jackson Osborne, and Tess Osborne; great-grandchildren, Annabelle Johnson, Alden Johnson, Caedmyn Munch, Ezekiel Munch, Eamonn Johnson, Maevelynn Munch, Nolan Johnson, Gabriel Johnson, Josephine Munch, Finley Munch, and Ivan Young; and his sister, Gail Groseclose.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin, Ohio.

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