Joel R. Osenga, 82, of LaPorte, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in LaPorte.
He was born Dec. 31, 1929, in Lansing, MI, to Robert E. Osenga and Johanna Slachter.
Joel was self-employed for 17 years with a Goldleaf Service. Prior to that, he worked as a manufacturing superintendent at Blocksom & Josam Co., Michigan City, IN. Joel served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Denver, CO, was a member of LaPorte Missionary Church, and served with the Gideons of LaPorte.
On May 29, 1953, in Hanna Methodist Church, he married Beryl Lute, who survives.
Also surviving are his son, Thomas L. (Cynde) Osenga of Broken Arrow, OK; daughters, Diana (Russell) Manolovits of LaPorte, Ruth (Marvin) Lamb of DeWitt, MI, and Sandra (Robert) Smeltzer of LaPorte; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Edward Osenga, Robert Osenga, Joan Bowers, Marion Kasper, Doris Richardson, and Sharon McInnis.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Kenneth, and sisters Charlotte and Lucille.
A Celebration of life service officiated by Pastor Carl Galloway will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, LaPorte. Visitation will be Saturday from 3 p.m. until the service.
Contributions may be made to the Gideons via www.gideons.org; LaPorte Missionary Church, 104 E. 18th St., LaPorte, IN 46350; or to the family of Joel R. Osenga c/o Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2900 Monroe St., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.
