Lavern "Ozzie" M. Oswald, 80, of Horton, Kansas passed away on April 13, 2011 at the Hiawatha Community Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends; transitioning peacefully to his heavenly home. He was born on December 21, 1930 at Willis, Kansas the son of Grant & Elvira (Hampton) Oswald. He graduated from Powhattan High School in 1949. He most recently attended First Baptist Church services at the Tri-County Manor where he has resided since April 2010 after suffering a stroke on January 11, 2010. He was a member of the National Guard, Battery B 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery. Serving in active duty during the 1950 flood in Topeka and the Kansas City Flood. Careers over his life span included farmer/stockman, milk hauler, lawn mower and small engine repair with Dallas Kurtz and an industrial sewing machine mechanic with the Horton Garment, Atchison Leather Products and Golden Star Manufacturing. After his retirement in 1995 he returned to the family farm to again raise stock cattle one of the loves of his life. He also enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing and most especially his family. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Mary (Tyler) Oswald of the home, Horton, Kansas. They were united in marriage on November 8, 1974 in Holton, Kansas. Additional survivors include his children Deb Weishaar and Steve Oswald of Atchison, Kansas, Diane (Joe) Schletzbaum of Lancaster, Kansas, Pam (Mark) Raiman of Topeka, Kansas, Gay Beideck of Kearney, Nebraska, Tom Oswald of Horton, Kansas and Crystal (Casey) Willich of rural Horton, Kansas. He is also survived by a sister, Beverly Friess of Topeka, Kansas and a brother, Gary (Nanci) Oswald of rural Powhattan, Kansas as well as many nieces and nephews. Other survivors include seven granddaughters, Jana Ashton, Heather Ashton, Sarah Marlatt, Emily Schletzbaum, Kelsey Raiman, Alicyn Willich and Alexis Willich and six grandsons, BJ White, Matt Weishaar, Jake Weishaar, Chase Beideck, Blake Beideck and Tyler Willich. He also is survived by five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Elvira Hampton Oswald and a brother, William "Bill" Oswald. Family visitation will be held Friday, April 15, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton. Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary with burial at the Wheatland Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Hiawatha Community Hospital and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family @ www.dishon-maple-chaney.com