Eileen Adele Osmund

We are sad to announce that Eileen Adele Osmund (84) of Serena, IL passed away on November 25, 2024, at the Morris Hospital Emergency Room.In October, Eileen underwent a successful 4.5-hour femoral bypass surgery and worked diligently at physical therapy to recover her strength to return home to her adoring husband, Richard (Dick), on November 21st. Tragically, she had contracted COVID and went to the ER on November 22nd and was admitted to Morris Hospital. Eileen begged, cajoled and through sheer force of will convinced the doctor to release her on the 24th so that she WOULD be home for her 65th anniversary. Unfortunately, COVID was too great a foe for this indomitable woman.
Eileen was born to Henry and Audrey Bernard on November 17th, 1940, in Sandwich, IL and grew up on a farm and enjoyed the great outdoors in Wedron, IL. She loved animals, especially horses. Joey was an all-time favorite, but Ginger, Satan's Secret, and Shadit were also very special. Her love of horses paled in comparison to the bond she held with her husband, Richard, whom she married on November 25th, 1959.
Dick and Eileen poured their love and support into four extremely lucky kids. In addition to being a farmer's wife and all that entailed - cultivating corn, loading hogs, bottle-feeding lambs in the kitchen, and milking cows to name just a few, Eileen worked at a number of other jobs. She braved a tornado as a secretary at a fertilizer plant, drove the school bus, and operated her own painting and wallpapering business. Later, she earned a pension as a rural letter carrier with the United States Postal Service. Her kids saw her work just as hard as she loved, and this example lives on in them to this day. When her kids found partners and married, Eileen made them a part of her family, too.
Eileen "relaxed" in her gardens. She put up countless jars of fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies, hoed & pulled millions of weeds, and planted so, so many flowers. Eileen unwound by sitting in a glider under her Red Maple watching swallows swoop to drink from her backyard fishpond and hummingbirds lap at feeders hung nearby. In retirement, Eileen cultivated new gardens and new friends at a retirement community in Mission, TX. As "Winter Texans" Eileen and Dick enjoyed an active social life and deep friendships with other retirees escaping harsh winters up north.
Grandchildren brought even more delight to Eileen's world. She couldn't get enough of her grandchildren. When her youngest son told her he and his wife were expecting their first child, she said, "It's about time." She cared for them, doted on them and they loved her back to no end. The same was true when great grandchildren entered the scene.
Eileen is survived by her adoring husband, Richard, her children Betty (Jerry) Smith of Sheridan, IL, Marty of Owatonna, MN, Terri (Rocky Hammel) of Earlville, IL, and Jody (Beth Vercolio) of Ottawa, IL, her grandchildren Brittany Smith, Sarah (Hammel) Schimek, George (Brandon) Hammel, Chance (Lindsey) Smith, Caleen (Colton) Jones, Margaret (Adam) Wiesbrook, Richard "Dominic" Osmund, Duncan Osmund, and Jack Osmund and her great grandchildren Rylin Hammel, Zoe Smith, Joel Smith, Evan Smith, Brianna Smith, Canelo Smith, Brystol Jones and Beverly Smith.
Eileen is preceded in death by her brother Robert Bernard.
A Memorial gathering for Eileen will be Saturday November 30, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. - 4:00P.M. at Gabel Dunn Funeral Home 333 W. Church Street, Sheridan, IL.
In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to Disabled American Veterans 860 Dolwick Dr. Erlanger, KY 41018. Home - DAV Charitable Service Trust.
For information, 815-695-5131 or visit her memorial page at www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com.