Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

John T. Osborne

BESSEMER, Mich. – John T. Osborne, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020.

John was born on Dec. 19, 1931, in Bergland, the son of Leonard J. and Anna (Bergland) Osborne.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

On Jan. 31, 1957, John married Darlene E. Knehans at Selfridge Air Force Base near Mount Clemens. They celebrated their 50th golden wedding anniversary in 2007.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood and a supporting member and past commander of the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673.

John was a dedicated school teacher. He taught special education and was director of special education for the Native American schools in North Dakota and South Dakota. He taught special education in Bessemer for four years before retiring in 2000.

John is survived by a son, Tim (Mary Jean); a daughter, Christena Rigoni (David Miller), of Ironwood; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Darlene, on April 7, 2015; and a son, Mike.

The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield for their wonderful care of John.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Interment will take place at Red Cloud Cemetery in Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.