Charles R. Osing, 100, of Ottumwa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his niece, nephew-in-law and the staff at Good Samaritan Society - Ottumwa at 3:20 p.m. March 14, 2024. Ironically passing on National Pi Day as Chuck loved pie!

He was born December 6, 1923 in Packwood, IA to August and Rose Marie Pflanz Osing, recently celebrating his 100th birthday, receiving a proclamation from the mayor of Ottumwa, Rick Johnson and a certificate of recognition from Governor Kim Reynolds. He married Ilene Augustine June 26, 1948 and they later divorced. He married Helen Kauble on September 23, 1962 and she preceded him in death on November 6, 2004.

A graduate of Agency High School, Chuck was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. In 2009, he took the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. honoring the WW II veterans and in September 2021 was 1 of 3 veterans on the Freedom Flight. Chuck owned the meat locker at Lockridge for a short time, was a salesman & supervisor for Lowenberg Bakery over 30 years and worked 10 years for South Hy-Vee.

He was a member of East End Presbyterian Church and Plymouth Congregational Church, an over 50-year member of Ottumwa Lodge #16 A.F. & A.M. starting in 1963 and became a dual member of Empire Lodge #269 A.F. & A.M. in 2015. He was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Supreme Council Mother Council of the World, and on December 5, 2005 he received the Certificate of Honor Scottish Rite. He was Past High Priest and a member of Clinton Chapter #9, Past Illustrious Master and member of Ottumwa Council #31, a member of Malta Commandery #31 and served as treasurer of York Rite Bodies in Ottumwa for over 20 years and in 2000 he received the York Rite St. Ignatius Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. He was a 50-year member and Past Patron of Ottumwa Chapter #112 Order of Eastern Star and member of Rose Chapter #552 Order of Eastern Star, Past Patron and member of Christina Court #3 Order of the Amaranth and Past Watchman of the Shepherd and member of Wapello White Shrine #4. He served as Rainbow Dad for International Order of Rainbow Girls and was District Dad. In 1972, Chuck received the Rainbow Girls Cross of Colors. He continued to work with the youth for many years.

Chuck was the first male president of Ottumwa Regional Health Center Auxiliary where he had served as a program manager for Lifeline since 1991. His travels took him from north of Ottumwa to southern Missouri delivering the system so patients could be connected and protected with a simple phone call or a tap of a button. Chuck had been past president for the Auxiliary during 2 different time frames and his leadership always kept the auxiliary moving forward for the betterment of the organization. He was active during any special activities such as serving meals to Indian Hills basketball players. Chuck was always promoting people to volunteer so they could enjoy the things he had been enjoying. By this, you knew he was a giver. If asked, Chuck was always willing to help in any area the Auxiliary needed his support.

In 1982, through Masonic organizations, he helped start a free Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinner, free to anyone. Today it is still serving hundreds every Christmas Day and Chuck had always been there as chairman.

In his younger years, Chuck enjoyed pheasant hunting and woodworking. He loved playing cards and spending time with his family. He enjoyed traveling, casino trips, cooking, especially bratwurst at the Ottumwa Octoberfest, and was a conversationalist and people person.

Surviving is a niece, Teresa (Earl) Broseh of Terrell, TX; nephews, Ron (Ellen) Craff of Dubuque, Rob (Mary) Craff of Albuquerque, NM and Richard (Mary) Craff of Springdale, AR; many great-nieces and nephews; and a great-great niece, Charlotte “Charlie” Rose; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; two sisters, Maxine Thomas and Madeline Craff; and a niece, Joyce Carey.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21st at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by a Masonic Service at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 22nd at Reece Funeral Home with Stephanie Christner officiating. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military services conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

At the request of his family, to honor the joyful life Chuck lived, please wear colorful Sunday “go-to-meeting“ clothing to his funeral.

Memorials may be made to Timber Ridge Activity Fund at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa or to the family. If Chuck touched your life, please provide a random act of kindness for someone else as “Project Inspired by Chuck.”

The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritan Society for the love and care they provided and the staff at Care Initiatives Hospice for the comfort they provided in his final hours. They would also like to thank special friend and caregiver, Donna Evans.

Chuck never met a stranger and enjoyed only 2 kinds of pie: one with crust and one without. “Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.”