Francis OsbornFrancis Osborn, 87, of Mascoutah, Ill., born on Aug. 4, 1929, in Valmeyer, Ill., passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, Ill.Francis was a member of Operating Engineers Local 520 for over 70 years, the oldest and longest member. He was the president and business agent of 3000 members. He attended Washington University, and graduated with a business management degree from Southern Illinois University.Mr. Osborn was a member of Kaskaskia Masonic and Mascoutah Masonic Lodges, was three-time Worshipful Master, a 32nd degree, was a tour volunteer, a member and four-time past Worthy Patron of Eastern Star, member and vice president of membership for St. Clair Serra Club, a member of the VFW, the Moose, and American Legion. He had four Governor of Illinois appointments for the KRPD Dam Council, and was a member of Mississippi Valley Ducks Unlimited, Wild Turkey Federation, Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah, Ill., Knights of Columbus, Holy Childhood Men's Organization, Holy Childhood Bible Class, Junior Chamber of Commerce of Collinsville, Ill., Banjo Club, IUOE Local 520 Retiree Club, KIDC, KRPD, and Delta Water Fowl, and was a cub scout leader.He served our nation's military in the U. S. Army in Korea and Japan during the Korean Conflict, 1951 to 1953. He was a bowler, golfer, and president of PTA at his children's schools.Francis and Kay loved education and travel, both they and their four children attended universities. Francis and Kay traveled all 50 states, and took five cruises, one to Mexico City, Mexico and Acapulco; they drove all the Provinces of Canada, saw Europe, sailed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, visited four of the five Great Lakes, and Panama and Venezuela canals.Francis always laughed at his grade school jobs - raising 500 rabbits for meat during World War II, a "dog-bitten" paper route, and the one he hated - cleaning chicken coops.Mr. Osborn suffered from bone cancer, but went fishing and hunting with his paralyzed son, because his firm belief was "life is too great to just waste by waiting to die".Those who knew Francis loved him and it was amazing that everyone seemed to know him.Francis loved Mascoutah because everyone waves at you, and you wave back, and no one is a stranger. He loved our town's people and all the kindness and help they gave to him, unasked, especially his pie-friend, and especially after his son was robbed, shot and paralyzed, and needed help - it was always there.Surviving are his wife, Kay Francis, nee Adamson, whom he married on Feb. 12, 1953, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Glen Carbon, Ill.; four children, Daniel Francis (Nancy) Osborn of Edwardsville, Ill., Laura (Alex Viceral) Osborn of Dallas, Texas, Laurance (Petra) Osborn of Belleville, Ill., and Martha (Daniel) Holloway of Shiloh, Ill.; six grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah Kay, Paige, and Lance Osborn, Haydn Holloway, and Caitlin Osborn, all at a university or are out of school at this time; a sister, Ethel Gieseking of Grantfork, Ill.; and a sister-in- law, Ruth Adamson of Maryville, Ill.In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made to , 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63131.Visitation: friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah, Ill.Funeral: Memorial Mass will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, with Bishop Stanley Schlarman and Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. A private burial with military honors will be held at a later date at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo., with a double ceremony as Francis and Kay agreed they traveled together, and should especially travel forever together to the last wonderful location they go.MOLL FUNERAL HOME, Mascoutah, Ill.