Jesse L. "Jake" Osborne, age 80, of rural Mattoon, passed away at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 9th, 2005, at his home.

Funeral services in tribute to his life will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 11th, at the Schilling Funeral Home with the Reverend Robert C. Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery, southeast of Mattoon. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon at the funeral home.

Jake was born March 29, 1924, in Clay County, a son of Alonzo and Elsie (Roberts) Osborne. He married his sweetheart, Kathryn "Kate" Peterson on August 21, 1948.

Survivors include his loving wife, Kate Osborne of rural Mattoon; his son, John D. Osborne and wife Martha "Marty" of rural Toledo; his daughter, Cindy L. Robertson and husband Gary of Mattoon; two brothers, Harold "Peanut" Osborne and Harry Osborne and wife Charlene, all of Mattoon; one sister, Thelma Blankenship of Modesto, California; six grandchildren, John Osborne and wife Ellie of Greenup, Jessica Peters and husband Richard of Toledo, Jennifer Hesse and fiancé Ross Wilson, both of Gays, Justin Osborne of Toledo, Sarah Robertson and fiancé Chris Phillips, both of Neoga, and Amanda Robertson and fiancé Michael McKibben, both of Mattoon; and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and four sisters.

Mr. Osborne was a member of the Labor Union #171 and worked for thirty nine years with Walker Construction Company in Mattoon. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. Jake was an avid coon hunter and enjoyed a membership in the Coles County Coon Hunters' Association.

Memorial gifts in his honor are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.

SOURCE:
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL)
February 10, 2005