Duane D. Osmus

Duane D. Osmus, 84, of Oklahoma City, passed on Monday, October 26, 1920. He was born on September 21, 1936, fifteen minutes before his twin sister, Doraine Donna, was born. They were born to Adam and Louise (Schlotthauer) Osmus on the family farm southwest of Okeene, OK. They were baptized in St. John’s Evangelical Church in Okeene at a young age and were confirmed in Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Watonga, OK in 1950.

Duane and Doraine attended Liberty Country School from Grades 1 - 5, then went to Bridgford Country School near Watonga, where the family had moved. Duane and Doraine graduated from Watonga High School in 1954. Duane then attended OSU.

Duane lost his left arm to cancer at the age of 13. He was fitted with several prosthesis through the years. Duane worked on cars or would try to fix anything that was broken until his eyesight started to fail due to macular degeneration.

In September 1958, Duane went to work for the OKC Police Department as an elevator operator in the booking section. He did this for 22 months while attending Blackwood Business College working on an accounting degree which he obtained in 1960.

Duane resigned from the Police Department on June 30, 1960, and went to work for the Traffic Courts July 1, 1960, as Deputy Court Clerk.

He worked for the Traffic Court until the Court of Record where jury cases were heard was created, and went to work there. In the 1980’s until his retirement in 1996, his title varied from Chief Court Clerk, Assistant Court Administrator, Administrative Analyst II, Administrative Assistant, and Municipal Court Specialist.

Duane and Sandy met on a blind date December 31, 1960, arranged by Al and Pat Conradi, friends of Duane who lived in Shattuck, OK, Sandy’s hometown, and went to the same church. They were married April 7, 1962, in Shattuck, at Christ Lutheran Church.

Duane is survived by his wife, Sandy, of 58 years; son, Daryl and daughter-in-law, Michele (DeLaughter) Osmus and daughter, Deann and son-in-law, Mike Mangham. Duane loved his family and was so proud of his grandchildren, Matthew and Sydney Osmus and Hayley and Shelby Mangham. He also is survived by sister, Irma and brother-in-law, Richard Dyer of Bells, TX, and sister-in-law, Mary Osmus, Hitchcock, OK. He also had many nieces and nephews which he dearly loved and cousins in various parts of the USA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Louise Osmus; brothers, Vernon and Glen (Betty) Osmus; sisters and their husbands: Lucille (Sam) Alston, Vivian (Allen) Wiederstein, Millie (Dwight) Ford; twin sister, Doraine Wade; and several nieces and nephews.

Duane and Sandy are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church where Duane served as a trustee and usher for many years. Duane was active in school and church activities and loved watching football (especially OSU), baseball, and basketball, especially the Thunder. He and Sandy were also active with the Central OK Chapter of American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR). He also enjoyed listening to the talking books from the OK League for the Blind.

Services were held Sunday, November 1, 4:30pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel with interment in Rose Hill Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Limbs for Life, or AHSGR, 631 D St, Lincoln NE.

The service was webcast live and can be viewed on his obituary page at www.mercer-adams.com where you can also leave condolences.