Paul W. Osburn

Paul Wilson Osburn (85), better known to his family, friends, and community as Uncle Paul, passed peacefully at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, on the evening of December 24th, 2025, following a day of visits and shared memories from his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Paul was the second of six children born to Guy and Ola Osburn in Nashville, Tennessee. Paul would lovingly recount his memories of living in Nashville as well as his fond memories of living in Caro, Michigan.

Paul met the love of his life, Marsha, in Vestaburg in the 1970s as a customer in his grocery store. Paul regularly helped Marsha’s two children, Tammy and Darin, get their mom her favorite candy bar, Butterfingers. Marsha turned down their first date, realized she didn’t want to be alone on New Year's Eve, and invited Paul to a party at her brother’s house. It’s been said that Tammy and Darin won Paul over with their frequent trips to the grocery store before he wooed Marsha. They were married in front of family and friends on May 3rd, 1980. They built their family home, Windy Ridge, better known as “the farm”, in Shepherd in 1986.

Though Paul cherished being a husband and stepfather, he adored being “papa” to his three granddaughters: Danielle, Maria, and Hillary. Paul’s granddaughters spent countless weekends and summer days at the farm, driving too fast on the “Green Goose”, playing marbles, and helping at his grocery store. In March of 2025, Paul was overjoyed with the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Elouise, affectionately known as Ellie Earlie.

Paul’s love of music started from an early age, from listening to music on his parents' Victrola to playing in the Caro High School Marching Band. He was eager to share this love with those around him. Paul collected innumerable music boxes and took every opportunity to play these for family visiting his and Marsha’s home. He could be heard singing songs throughout the house and making up his own, hilarious, and sometimes questionable lyrics. Patrons of his grocery store also share memories of him walking through the aisles humming along.

Paul knew the power of hard work from an early age, starting his first job as a newspaper delivery boy at 7 years old. Paul was adamant about his first job, so he stretched the truth about his age and quickly earned a customer base of 40 or so homes, earning his first prize, a small guitar. Paul continued to work various jobs as he grew up, such as a grocery store deliverer, after-hours doctors office custodian, and a canner at Del Monte. He started his career and passion for customer service at JCPenney in the late 50s and early 60s. He took pride in creating the best customer experience and leaving a lasting impression. Paul took a position as an assistant manager at a grocery store in Crystal in the 1970s. His natural ability to lead and run a smooth operation led to the opening of his first grocery store in downtown Vestaburg. He quickly outgrew this store and built the Vestaburg staple on Edmore Road, Uncle Paul’s Foods. He gladly shared his parking lot with Barb Bradley and her ice cream shop, The Farmer in the Dell. Paul never strayed from his order of Black Cherry Flavor Burst ice cream. Paul ran his grocery store until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ola and Guy Osburn, as well as his sister, Martha Osburn. He is survived by his doting wife, Marsha Osburn, stepchildren: Tammy (Brian) Schneider and Darin (Melissa) Carter, his grandchildren: Danielle (Ethan) Brabant, Maria (Mitchell) Stommes, Hillary Schneider, and Brandon Gibbs, great-grandchildren: Elouise Brabant, and siblings: Mary (Jim) Cockroft, Tom (Bertha) Osburn, Esther (Dale) Ormiston, and Dawn (Ron) Pettys, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Paul will always be remembered for his quick wit, dry humor, and endless hospitality. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, or great-grandfather. He will be missed dearly every moment of every day. His memory will live on vividly in the hearts of all who loved him. And one last time, “Stop in Again”.

A memorial service to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek.