Norman E. Osting

Norman Osting, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Troy on July 9th, 2026. Born in Delphos, OH on September 7th, 1938 he was the son of Frank and Veronica (Elwer) Osting who proceeded him in death. He married Karen (Fortener) Osting, his loving wife of 65 years. Norm was preceded in death by brothers Wilfred, Moletus, Eugene, Edward, Urban, Alvin, Earl, Roger and Louis Osting; and sisters Geraldine Grubenhoff, LaDonna Klaus Schmeltzer, Marie Osting, Earline Williams and Vera Koester.

Norm is survived by his wife Karen and their 5 children, Laura Tasker of Grande Ronde, OR, Mary (Rocky) Deaton of Spanaway, WA, Jennifer McCuistion of Troy, John (Duanna) Osting of Troy and Sarah (Ryan) Fine of Troy. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Adam Tasker, John (Miaja) Tasker, Kara McCuistion, Zach (Holly) McCuistion, Emily (Matt) Zych, Laura Deaton, David Osting, Matthew Osting, Amelia Osting, Ella Fine, Mara Fine and Isaac Fine and 6 great grandchildren, Sadie and Simon Lopez Tasker, Merrick and Jimmy McCuistion, Halina and Linnea Zych.

Norm’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the breakfast crew at K’s and Holly’s Café and especially to Mark, Jeff and Levi for their friendship to Norm over the years and the “beer thirty” conversations. They would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the incredible and compassionate nurses at Ohio’s Hospice, especially Vonnie, Julie, Michelle and Hope who took such incredible care of Norm and the family.

It’s been disorienting watching age and death try to diminish our father, a man who was always formidable in stature but also in spirit. Age and illness may have claimed his physical body, but his spirit remains larger than life. Norm wasn’t a man of many words, but he was a man of example. Many examples, actually.

He was an example of entrepreneurship, owning and operating his business, N&J Meats for 40 years. He took a chance and believed in himself and created a beautiful life for his family.

He was an example of civic duty. He served Staunton Township as a trustee for almost 30 years and even after retirement was known to patrol the township roads (very, very slowly) and make suggestions to the current board of trustees. He took pride in initiating the set-back corners at intersections in the township, requesting that fields be “set-back” at an angle to improve visibility and safety for traffic. He also served as treasurer of the Athletic Boosters for many years at Miami East where his kids attended school.

He was an example of doing what you love. Norm was an avid hunter his entire life, starting out as a coon hunter in his younger years and deer hunting later on. He would host hunting week during gun season where uncles and friends would come to our house. Some favorite memories include evenings sitting in the smokehouse by the fire, listening to the mighty deer hunters rehash their experiences that day and then plot and plan for the next day’s hunt.

He was an example of hard work. He cleared the area along the creek on his property with nothing but an axe and dogged determination. He was up at 4am every day to run his meat route and then would come home to work in the yard or the barn. His hands were always gnarled, his arms constantly bleeding but he never seemed to notice.

He was an example of ingenuity. He fashioned himself a bit of an inventor and wasn’t afraid to think outside of the box with his creativity (nor was he afraid of judgement as evidenced by some of his creations). While driving down the road one winter day, his daughter saw what she knew was her dad’s tractor but something looked off about her dad driving. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was because he had a plastic bag over his head. When asked WHAT he was thinking, he proudly explained that since his tractor didn’t have a heat houser, all “a guy” had to do was put a bag over their head and his face would stay warm and glasses wouldn’t fog up.

He was an example of strength and protection. Even with his few words, he earned the moniker “Stormin’ Norman”, with one of his high school aged daughter’s decrying “None of us can get boyfriends because everyone at the high school is scared of you! They call you Stormin’ Norman!!” He even painted “Stormin’ Norman Coon Dog” on the back of his tractor seat as a reminder to all who they were dealing with.

He was an example of frugality. Why spend $10 to fix a leak in an irrigation line when you could just shove a corn cob into it? Sweat getting in your eyes while you’re working? Why buy a sweatband when you can cut a sponge in half, run some rubberbands through the sides and wrap them around your ears? Why pay to repair the rust holes in the rocker panels on your truck when you can rivet old metal spouting over it?

He was an example of an advisor, with many of his lessons starting with “a guy could/should”. He would want all of you to know “a guy should always carry a gallon of water” and when you get to the intersection of Polecat and DeWeese, “a guy should always slow down because people run that stop sign all the time”.

Most of all, he was an example of love of family. It was evident how much he enjoyed seeing his kids and extended family together, relishing family reunions and holiday get togethers. He wanted everyone to have a good time (but you better not wake him up with your hootin’ and hollerin’ once he went to bed). While not a demonstrative man, his “I love you, be careful” spoke volumes.

Grief is not a singular feeling. It’s sadness of course. It’s missing someone so much, our body actually aches. It’s fear and anxiety and anger. It’s wanting to go back for one more time together, wanting to witness his example and appreciate it a little more. It’s also learning to love the place that someone left behind, learning to love the imprint they left on our lives after they’re gone and to move forward, carrying on their example.

A guy should leave a legacy. Stormin’ Norman sure did.

A Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio's Hospice of Miami County.