Obituaries, April 26, 2023
James “Jim” Edward Osborne
James “Jim” Edward Osborne, 91, of Kokomo, went to be with the Lord at 1:51 pm Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. He was born in Evansville, IN, on February 15, 1932, the son of the late James Lee and Mary Elizabeth (Miller) Osborne.
On December 19, 1954, Jim married Shirley F. Bond. They were married for 18 years and had three children: Lisa, Debra, and David.
On August 3, 1974, he married Carol Elaine Meyer at Southside Christian Church in Kokomo, and she preceded him in death on March 10, 2009.
Jim was a 1950 graduate of Evansville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955 and a Master’s in 1962 from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Jim was involved with ROTC at Indiana University Bloomington and served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He had active duty at Fort Riley, KS, and three years of active reserve duty in the Kokomo Ordinance Company, which was followed by two years of inactive reserve.
Jim was an art educator for 32 years. He started his teaching career in Marion, Indiana. In 1958 Jim began teaching for the Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation. He was the first licensed art teacher in the Kokomo Schools system. Jim was later appointed the Coordinator for Art Education for primary and secondary schools for many years. Jim was also an associate faculty member in the art department at Indiana University Kokomo.
In 1970 Jim completed five major "found metal" sculptures for Cabot Corporation, with 15 smaller works sent to Cabot offices around the world. Jim named one of his large metal sculptures "Kalpa-Tarou," which means "tree of imagination." Kalpa-Tarou was placed on the front lawn of the main Cabot office in Kokomo and was dedicated in April of 1970. One of his "found metal" sculptures still hangs on the outside East wall of the Park Avenue Haynes International office in Kokomo.
In 1974 he had a self-illustrated book of poetry published called "Thoughts to Share in Poetry." Jim also enjoyed presenting music and poetry programs in the area from 1975 to 1985 for various organizations. He retired in 1985. Near the end of his teaching career, he became the voice of the "Old Hoosier" for a 4th-grade history program called "Our Indiana Heritage."
Throughout his life, art was his passion. He enjoyed using many different mediums to express the beauty he saw around him, pottery being his favorite. His love for teaching children and adults how to express themselves through art was his life’s work.
Jim is survived by his three children, Lisa (Tony) Cooke, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Debra (Bill) Crawford, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Rev. David (Lori) Osborne, of Kokomo, Indiana.
In addition, Jim is survived by nine grandchildren, Laura Cooke, Andrew Cooke, Philip (Leah) Crawford, Amy (Craig) Kramme, Sara (Lee) Mitchell, Lindsey (Mark) Ellison, David Jr. (Jennifer) Osborne, James (Caitlyn) Osborne, and Michael (Fiancé Kristina Durr) Osborne, and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Osborne; wife, Carol Osborne; and the mother of his children, Shirley Osborne.
Jim’s children would like to thank Kokomo’s Ascension St Vincent’s doctors, nurses, and staff for providing outstanding medical treatment and compassionate care for him during his last week of life.
The family would also like to extend a very special “thank you” to Trenton Haley and Jennifer Nies of Gentiva Hospice, who stepped in and provided exceptional care for Jim and his family in the last hours of his life.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am to noon on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 East Main Street, Russiaville, IN 46979. The funeral service will be held at Noon on Saturday at the funeral home, with Jim’s son, Rev. David Osborne officiating. Burial will follow in New London Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Jim supported several agencies that helped those less fortunate. Feel free to make a memorial contribution to a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Richard Earl “Dick” Breedlove
Richard Earl “Dick” Breedlove, 84, Kokomo, passed away at 11:20 pm Saturday, April 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his beloved family, from a short battle with cancer. He was born December 17, 1938, to Ira Earl and Josephine (Cross) Breedlove. He married the love of his life, Julianna “Jan” Sutton on April 8, 1961, and she preceded him in death on January 17, 2016.
Dick attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School and then graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956. He worked for many years as a meat cutter at the Standard Grocery, Hank’s Supermarket, and Rozzi’s Market. He started his career at Chrysler in 1965 and retired in 2000 after 35 years.
Dick was an avid sprint car race fan and a 60-year attendee of the Kokomo Speedway and many other tracks around Indiana. He enjoyed trips to Knoxville, IA and Eldora Speedway. He was on the board of Hoosier Auto Racing Fans for many years along with his wife. They hosted many post-race cookouts at their home and at the Kokomo Speedway. They loved their racing family. Dick also enjoyed going to cheer on the girls and boys basketball teams at Kokomo High School and Western High School. He loved going to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play their sports and rarely missed a game. He was also a volunteer for Western Buddy Bags for many years. Dick loved to take care of his yard and garden, growing the most beautiful hanging baskets.
Dick loved taking care of people. Dick never met a stranger. He was a mentor and role model to so many people.
Dick is survived by his daughters, Julie (Mark) Kuntz and Jayne Mock (Bill Ahnert) both of Kokomo; his grandchildren, Kylie (Jake) Young, Kelsie Mock, Corbin Kuntz and Cameron Kuntz; his great-grandchildren, Carter, Collin, Cayden, Kora and Kyla; his sisters, Mary Ann Krajewski, Bonita Beach, FL and Susan Krajewski, Fort Myers, FL; his sister-in-law, Jill Adams (Jeff McCrumb); his best friend and brother-in-law, Danny Sutton; and brother-in-law, Jack (Kathy) Sutton.
Besides his wife Jan, he was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Max “Tony” and Mary Sutton; sister-in-law, Esther Sutton; brothers-in-law, Bart Krajewski and Edward Krajewski; and son-in-law, Mike Mock.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, May 1, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Elliot Zak officiating. Burial will follow in Russiaville Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to Western Buddy Bags. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.