CLEVELAND, July 16 — Joshua Matthew Osborn, age 27, of Savanna, Ill, has been identified as the second BLET member killed in the Bettendorf, Iowa, train accident on July 14, 2009.
His name had been withheld from initial reports at the request of his family, but they agreed to release his name to the media earlier today.
Brother Osborn, a Marine sergeant who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was a member of BLET Division 266 in Savanna, Ill. He worked for the IC&E Railroad.
Joshua Matthew OsbornHe was born August 27, 1981 in Sterling, Ill., the son of Steve and Jill (Pursell) Osborn. He was a 1999 graduate of the Savanna High School and attended Highland Community College, Freeport. He was a member of the Savanna VFW. Josh enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. Most important to Josh was spending time with his daughter Kaliann, his fiancé Jennifer, and her daughter Bailey.
Josh will be dearly missed by his fiancé, Jennifer Schreiner, of Savanna; one daughter, Kaliann Schreiner and Jennifer’s daughter Bailey Baker, both at home in Savanna; his mother, Jill (Jamie) Foster of Corning, Arkansas; his father, Steve (Elsa) Osborn of Sterling, Illinois; his grandmother, Wilma “Tootie” Pursell of Corning; one sister, Stephanie (Casey) Valladares of Savanna, one step – sister, Samantha (Angel) Lopez of Louisville, Kentucky; two step – brothers, Lee (Andrea) Sandoval of Reno, Nevada, and Dallas Ellis of Sterling, Illinois; Special family friends, Bubba and Margo Hull of Savanna; three nieces, Carsen Osborn, Mariah Valladares, and Alexis Ellis; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Josh is preceded in death by two grandfathers, one grandmother, two cousins.
A memorial visitation will be held for Brother Osborn from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, with a time of sharing memories to be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Joshua’s honor for his family.
Members and friends can leave condolences for the Osborn family on the Lee-Jones Funeral Home website.
Also killed in the crash was Brother Andrew Reed, 27, also of BLET Division 266.
A visitation for Brother Reed is scheduled for 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (318 Chicago Ave., Savanna, IL 61074; (815) 273-3961) on Friday, July 17. The funeral is schedule for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the same location.
Members and friends can leave condolences for the Reed family here.
“This is a sad and difficult time for the families and for our Brothers and Sisters in Division 266,” said BLET National President Ed Rodzwicz. “I hope they can take some measure of solace in the fact that all members of the Brotherhood are praying for them during this difficult time. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Brother Reed and Brother Osborn.”