Shirley Osburn

Harold A. and Shirley J (Hudgins) Osburn, of Beavercreek, Ohio, both passed away in the early morning of Friday, January 1, 2021, in Dayton, Ohio, Harold was 88 years old and Shirley was 85 years old and both of their deaths were due to COVID-19.

Harold, who went by Hal, and Shirley celebrated 66 years of marriage on Dec. 18, 2020. As was appropriate of their love and devotion to each other and their 66+ years together, they passed away about one hour apart. Harold passed away around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Hospice of Dayton, and Shirley passed around 7:30 a.m., at the Post Acute Medical Unit of Sycamore Hospital in Miamisburg. Even though it wasn’t planned, their family and friends feel they died as they lived, as close together as possible.

Hal grew up in the Greenpoint Avenue area of New York City and joined the United States Air Force upon graduating from high school. Shirley grew up on a farm outside Pittsburg, Texas, and took a job as a secretary in Houston, Texas, upon graduating high school. They met in Houston when Hal was stationed there for the Air Force, and they married near Houston on Dec. 18, 1954.

Hal served 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer, attaining the rank of Major. He was a Navigator on B-47 and B-58 airplanes. He served a combat tour from December 1968 to January 1970 in the Vietnam War as an on-the-ground advisor to the South Vietnamese Army. He then had a second, 20+-year career with Burger King restaurants in the Dayton area, rising from night store manager in Fairborn to the General Manager of eight stores in Dayton. In both of his successful careers, he served with honor and integrity.

Hal loved to play golf with his son Ron and also, after his retirement, with The Blitz group of military retirees at the Prairie Trace Golf Course at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He especially enjoyed playing with his son Ron and Ron’s friends on dozens of golf courses between Northern Kentucky and Bryan, Ohio. He was also a regular participant for 10 years at the retired military golf tournament in Myrtle Beach, where the extended family gathered for vacations.

Shirley was a lifelong homemaker and her door was always open for family and friends. She was an expert gardener and took great provide in her annual flower garden in the backyard of her home. Having grown up on a farm in East Texas, Shirley could identify almost any tree, shrub, plant or flower, no matter the temperate zone.

Shirley is predeceased by her parents, Joe Wiley and Veatrice Hudgins, and her older brother, Raymond Hudgins.

Hal was predeceased by his parents, William and Elizabeth (McNamee) Osburn; nephew, William “Billie,” and brother Andrew Osburn.

Hal and Shirley are survived by their son, Ron Osburn, of Stryker, Ohio; daughter, Michele Reisenwitz, and her fiance Ken Tallman, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; grandchildren Faith Osburn, of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Evelyn and wife Ella Reisenwitz, of Greenbelt, Maryland; and Cathy Reisenwitz, of San Francisco, California.

Shirley also leaves to treasure her memory her best friend, Bev Lavin, of Centerville, Ohio.