Rev. Osbeck

OSBECK - Rev. Russell Gene Osbeck, age 83, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, June 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ella Osbeck, his brother, Morris and sister-in-law, Maxine. Russell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Osbeck, who he became infatuated with while playing in a sacred accordion band. His words to his band leader were, "I could play much better if I could sit next to her, the one with the dimples." Russell is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Roger and Joyce Osbeck, his sister Susan and brother-in-law Al Cogswell, and his children: Tim (Jill) Osbeck, Mike (Theresa) Osbeck, Faith (Chuck) Swanson; grandchildren: Corey (Holly) Osbeck, Kenny (Jenny) Osbeck, Mathue (Brooke) Osbeck, Kimberly (Kyle) Stanford, CJ Swanson, Andrew Swanson; great-grandchildren: Will, Callan, Ada, Joey, Emma, Madelyn, Marley, Wyatt, and Eleanor. Russell faithfully served the Lord in church ministry for 55 years, beginning in 1958. After personal health struggles, his ability to continue in full-time ministry ended in 2009. He was able to interim pastor until 2013 when cancer kept him from full-time service. Rev. Osbeck was a member at West Cannon Baptist Church where funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 16 with Pastor Doug Crawford officiating. The church is located at 5760 Cannonsburg Road NE, Belmont. Russell's family will greet relatives and friends 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Drive NE, Belmont and one hour prior to the service at the church. Internment at Sullivan Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Cannon Baptist Church Youth Ministry. Russ was born December 6, 1936 in a farm house on Sullivan Road in Sullivan Township, Muskegon County, the 3rd of 4 children born to Alfred and Ella Osbeck. When he was delivered on a snowy night, the doctor had no scales, but said he was at least a ten pound baby. His most vivid memory as a pre-school child was setting his house on fire. While everyone was outside butchering a hog, he decided to put some wood into the old kitchen range. The stick was too long, so he pulled it out and placed it back into the wood box, and from there the fire began. At age 6 he started Kindergarten at the Sullivan School and walked 1.5 miles each way. Sullivan School was a one room country school with grades K-7. By age 9 he was the only son on the farm (his brothers had joined the military) and he had to help with milking cows before and after school. In 1949, Russ accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and 6 years later became a student at Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. Russ got his drivers license at age 14, and at age 16 he was encouraged by his dad to drop out of high school to run the farm - with the aspiration of farming and building a home on Sullivan Road. He regretted that decision and later earned his GED. He became interested in playing the accordion and actually purchased his own instrument. His decision to join a sacred accordion band would forever change the trajectory of his future - for there he met (and was placed next to) a beautiful girl with dimples, named Gloria Grimm. Russ wrote, "Since I was a shy farm boy, I think it took me three months or so to get enough courage to hold her hand. I remember the first time I kissed her, I was so nervous I bumped her nose and worried if I hurt her." In Aug 1956 Russ prayed in the middle of a field and told the Lord he was willing to do whatever He wanted him to do. He then decided to enroll in Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. He worked at Keeler Brass, preached, and farmed to put himself through school. And, he had enough money in 1958 to purchase a diamond engagement ring for Gloria - $150. They were married June 13, 1959 at Laketon Ave Baptist Church in Muskegon and left for Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. He was 22 and she was 19. As newlyweds, Russ accepted a pastoral position in Manton, MI. Their first home was a small house trailer. There was a hose from the church for water to the kitchen faucet. They used the church restroom, and purchased a washtub for bathing. Gloria washed their clothes outside, and hung them on the line behind the church. Their first child, Timmy was born June 1, 1960, but not without complications. Timmy weighed 9 lbs, 15 oz and was 23" long. God was gracious and spared both their lives. In 1964 the doctor indicated Gloria may not be able to have any more children. Russ contacted a Christian social worker and asked about adopting a little boy, preferably 2-3 years of age. A few months later they received a call for a little 3 year old boy who needed special shoes, and they said they would like to adopt him. Michael Daniel became part of our family. Russ drove school bus in 1965 and earned $25/week in addition to his $75/week preaching in Homer. At the end of the year they accepted a position at Fellowship Baptist Church of Clawson, and at 29 years old he was earning $125/week. Russ and Gloria pursued adoption again, but soon discovered Gloria was pregnant would deliver a baby girl July 2, 1969 - Faith Elizabeth. They were not expecting a girl - Osbecks have boys! In the following years Russ accepted positions at Oakwood Bible Church, Ottawa Center Chapel, Decatur Bible Church, Oxford Bible Church, Long Lake Chapel, Fellowship Bible Church, and Faith Fellowship - and Gloria did his typing, correspondence, and sermon outlines. Oh, she was also his pianist and organist. He had multiple interim positions behind the pulpit after "retirement". The family grew, starting in 1984 and beyond, with Russ performing his kids' weddings - Mike to Theresa, Tim to Jill, and Faith to Chuck. And little ones abounded! Six grandchildren, four of whom Russ eventually married - Mathue to Brooke, Corey to Holly, Kenny to Jenny, Kimberly to Kyle, and CJ and Andrew. From grandchildren came great-grandchildren - Madelyn, Will, Marley, Joey, Wyatt, Callan, Ellie, Ada Ha-Yeon, and Emma Kate. In Russ's own words, he concluded his life story: "My purpose in writing all this is to preserve our family history and to share with you our testimonies, facts, and dates. I want you to know several things in closing: First, I love Jesus Christ my Savior and have tried to be true to His Word. Second, I love Gloria very much who has been my companion and also has done a lot of typing for me. I could not have made it without her. Third, I love our children, their spouses and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We do not have much in material possessions but we have a wonderful family. Fourth, God called me to be a pastor, which is a high and holy calling. Lastly, my request to you is this: Live for God and obey His Word. That's the greatest favor you can do for your mother and me. One of these days my soul and spirit will leave this body, and I will be with the Lord in heaven. Rest assured, I will be waiting for you." To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Russell Gene Osbeck please visit our Sympathy Store.