John E. Osman Jr., 68, of Buffalo Grove, a veteran of the Navy and a self-employed pipefitter, died Tuesday in his home. Born in East Chicago, Ind., Mr. Osman served in the Navy for 10 years, beginning in 1946. He worked as a sonar operator aboard the destroyer USS Mansfield during the Korean War. His ship received a Presidential Citation for its role in the Inchon invasion. His time in the Navy ended when he married. Mr. Osman moved to Chicago and worked as a pipefitter for several companies before he became self-employed. He was a longtime member of the Pipe Fitters Union 597 of Chicago. He also was a member of the North West Masonic Lodge 217, AF & AM and a former member of the Buffalo Grove Jaycees, with which he worked on projects that required his “handyman experience,” his son, Thomas Osman, said. He is survived by his companion, Betty Lou; another son, Keith; a daughter, Karen Schleicher; a brother, Dale; and six grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Living Christ Lutheran Church, 625 E. Dundee Rd., Arlington Heights.
