Dennis W. "Ozzie" Osborne, Sr.

Dennis Wayne “Ozzie” Osborne, Sr., 77, of Rock Island, IL, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at UnityPoint-Trinity, Bettendorf, IA.

Funeral services will be held 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, IL, with visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be at a later date at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Moline. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Dennis was born in Moline, IL, November 23, 1946, to Arthur Wayne Osborne and Phyllis Eileen Sarginson Osborne. He graduated from Moline High School in 1964; from Blackhawk College in 1968; and from St. Ambrose University in 1973 with a B.A. in Business and Economics.

He was married to Pauline A. Brubaker from 1966 to 1986.

Dennis worked at John Deere Industrial Equipment Works, Dubuque Tractor Works, and Plow/Planter Works. He also worked at Deere & Company, E.O.P., OEM, Production Control Systems, North American Transportation, and the Parts Distribution Center in Milan, IL. He retired from J.D.M. in 2007 after 40 years of service at John Deere & Co.

Dennis was well known for his ballroom dancing, his world travels, his rain garden, and his electric car.

In 2002, Dennis started Ballroom dancing. In 2003, he began his Ballroom dance hosting career which lasted over fifteen years.

He traveled on the Mississippi and American River Boats, sailing on both the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

In 2008, he started working on the British Cunard Cruise Line. He sailed on all three Queens, Mary II, Victoria, and Elizabeth. He cruised around the world three times and visited over 80 countries in the world.

Traveling as a host on the Royal Caribbean, Splendour and Brilliance of the Seas; Carnival Destiny; Norwegian Breakaway, and the Crystal Serenity. His favorite stop of interest was the “Lost City of Petra”, located in Jordan.

By 2005, Dennis had competed in Ballroom dance at the Harvest Moon Dance Sport, Iowa Dance Sport Classic and his favorite, The Ohio Star Ball. Ohio Star was the largest Ballroom Dance Competition in the World.

Look to YouTube, Fred Astaire Dennis Osborne and Avis Kutzman (Waltz); Dancing with Disney Showcase Rehearsal (Swing) and Festival of Trees (Swing).

Dennis loved his Rain Garden and received “Residential Beautification Awards” from the City of Rock Island, in both 2007 & 2008. He found the beauty of perennial flowers and flowering shrubs.

In 2008, Dennis purchased an all-electric car called Zenn Car. Dennis was on TV commercials and had several newspaper articles in the QC newspapers. Dennis and his son, Larry, had fun being involved in several parades, showing off his vehicle.

Dennis had a favorite quote, “Today, Let’s make a difference”.

Surviving are his sons, Dennis (Marly) Osborne, Jr., Erie, IL, Lawrence “Larry” Osborne, Rock Island, IL, Anthony “Tony” (Tara) Osborne, Matherville, IL and Christopher “Chris” (Tara) Osborne, Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Meghan Gengler, Tyler Osborne, Ryan Thomas (Regan) Osborne, Kyle Osborne, Hannah Osborne, Chloe Osborne, Lance Osborne and  Jack Osborne; former wife, Pauline Thune, Colona, IL; special friend and favorite dance partner, Janet Steinhauser, Bettendorf, IA; brothers, Larry (Pat) Williams, Montgomery, AL, Ed (Brenda) Edwards, Jacksonville, FL, Art Edwards Jr., Craig, CO, Gary (June) Osborne, San Diego, CA, and Roy (Jeannie) Mercer, Geneseo, IL; sisters, Beth (Rick) McReynolds and Brenda Brown, all of Colona, IL; brother-in-law, Lee Moffitt, Freehold, NJ; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Wayne Osborne; stepfather, Arthur Edwards, Sr.; mother, Phyllis (Sarginson) Edwards; sisters, Sonya Brown and Sharon Moffitt; and brothers, Dennis Edwards and Curtis Edwards.

Online condolences at vanhoe.com

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