Melvin Osburn

Melvin Osburn, 89, died at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was born July 24, 1935, in St. Louis, MO the son of the late Delilah Osburn. Melvin was self-employed with his own lawn service. Melvin was a strong Lymphedema Patient Advocate. He helped to get The Lymphedema Treatment Act passed. It passed in December 2023 and it went into effect in January 2024. He made several trips to Washington D.C. and multiple other states to accomplish this. He was in two Lymphedema Support Groups.

One is at OSF, Alton Square and the other is at Mercy Pratt Center in St. Louis, MO. He also had several support group meetings himself at Big Boy Donut Shop in Jerseyville, IL. He was also in the process of helping to get custom fit shoes passed through Medicare for Lymphedema Patients. He did two fundraisers, one was where he walked down the River Road from Alton to Grafton, 26 miles in total in three days’ time. The other one was at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. He also received a generous amount donated to the Lymphedema Treatment Foundation in his name. He donated his body to St. Louis University Hospital for Lymphedema Research to be able to help someone else one last time. He collected cans to assist himself with funds to promote his many endeavors for the Lymphedema work he accomplished.

He was in two Jersey County Parades along with two of his daughters to help to get the word out about Lymphedema. He was also known for riding his electric bicycle through the streets of Jerseyville. Mostly to the Big Boy Donut Shop. He pedaled when he could and used the electric to assist himself when he needed to. Melvin was a truck driver, landscaper, and welder and had a firewood business. He also worked at Eckerts in Grafton, IL for many years. These are some of many things he had accomplished during his lifetime.

He is survived by four daughters, Bobbie Crouch (Randy), Debra Dale (Winfred), Peggy Riley, Karen Osburn and one son, Scott Osburn, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and his companion, Dorothy Waters. Besides his mother he was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Osburn and a cousin, Dorothy Davenport. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church in Alton. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lymphedema Treatment Foundation. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made to National Lymphedema Network. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home