Michael "Mike" Lynn Osborn

Family Tribute-

Michael Lynn Osborn (Mike) passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025, at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Mike was the middle of three sons to Jo Ellen (Burgett) and Robert E. Osborn. He grew up in Canal Winchester, Ohio where he was surrounded by a large extended family. Mike and his cousins often got into mischief playing in his uncle’s barns at the Osborn reunions and holidays. Corn cob wars, cousin football, and dares often resulted in someone (usually Mike) being hurt and everyone being forced to sit with the adults until they were released to play again.

Stories of Mike’s childhood shenanigans were often shared at family gatherings. Someone would start with “Do you remember the time…” and before you knew it, everyone would be talking about how Mike knocked himself unconscious or when his dad dropped a hammer on Mike’s head.  A favorite story involved Mike running like the gingerbread man away from his dad saying, “You can’t catch me!” and his quick-witted dad replying, “You have to come home sometime!” Mike and Jonathan had several similar encounters. Like father, like son.

Many of Mike’s fondest childhood memories came from summers spent working on his uncle’s hog farm or at another uncle’s construction company—experiences that shaped his strong work ethic and love of family. At the hog farm, Mike was paid in tiny piglets that grew into large hogs by the end of summer. A job that paid well, but taught Mike, much to his uncle's dismay, that he did NOT want to be a hog farmer. Time spent with his extended family provided him with plenty of chances to get into trouble with his Burgett cousins too–like riding into a snow covered concrete picnic table on a 3–wheeler while trying to evade the cops for riding a 3-wheeler through town: A story the adults would have been none the wiser to if Mike had not, once again been knocked unconscious.

After graduating from Teays Valley High School, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served for 20 years in the submarine forces. A Persian Gulf War veteran, he completed three tours in Hawaii—a place he came to call his second home.  Serving aboard the U.S.S. Aspro, Olympia, and San Francisco, he visited many countries including Singapore, Japan, Korea, Guam, and the Philippines. But his favorite port of call was when the Aspro surfaced at 90° north–the North Pole.

Beyond his professional success in Hawaii, Mike met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Jachim) on what was essentially a blind date. Eighteen months later they married at the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base Memorial chapel. After a three-year assignment in Groton, Connecticut where Mike helped develop the curriculum for the submarine radioman course, they returned to Hawaii and welcomed their first child, Jonathan. Mike never let Elizabeth forget that he wanted to give Jonathan a Hawaiian middle name.

Following his military retirement, Mike and Elizabeth settled in Indiana, where their daughter Katherine was born. Never one to sit still for long, Mike pursued higher education and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Indiana University. He then began a second meaningful career as principal and administrator at Mooresville Christian Academy. With a servant’s heart, Mike did far more than lead—he pitched in wherever needed, whether teaching a class, helping in the lunchroom, taking out the trash, or simply offering a kind word (or tough love) to a student. He left a lasting impact on everyone who walked through the doors of MCA.

Above all, Mike was a family man. He was a devoted husband, a proud dad, and a deeply loved "Papa" and "Papaw." His greatest joy was time spent with his children and grandchildren. A summer weekend spent cabin camping was a way Mike used to gather family together since his extended family was spread so far apart. Boats were rented or brought to the lake so that the children could get flung off tubes, get sunburned and sit around campfires eating smores.  Mike was often heard laughing when a child bounced off a tube and skipped across the water especially if that child was his son. 

Mike was also a long-time member of Camby Community Church. His famous deviled eggs were brought to many church gatherings.

Mike is survived by his wife of 39 years, Elizabeth; his children, Jonathan (Morgan) Osborn and Katherine (Christopher) Rojas; and his grandchildren, Baylee Osborn, Baylee Phillips, Savannah Rojas, Jonathan Rojas, Clarke Rojas, Remington Rojas, and Walker Rojas. He is also survived by his brothers, Mitchell (Carrie) Osborn and Mark (Eva) Osborn; and his nieces and nephew: Sarah Jachim, Daniel Jachim, Melanie (Brian) Darst, Cassandra Osborn, Alyssa Osborn, and Brianna Osborn, his great niece Calliegh Darst, and his aunts Shirley (Ackerman) Burgett and Virginia (Kimberling) Osborn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Nash Rojas.

Mike’s life was marked by love, service, and integrity. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Camby Community Church, 8604 Camby Road, Camby, Indiana 46113. The visitation will begin at 2:30 pm followed by a service at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s name to Mooresville Christian Academy or Basic Needs Simple Solutions.

Final care and arrangements by Norman F. Chance Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 504 National Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. Online condolences and words of comfort maybe offered at www.chancefuneralhome.com

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