Sheila Frances Osgood

Sheila Frances Osgood (Chessun), 91, of O’Fallon, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 13th, 2021. She was born on December 31st, 1929 in London, United Kingdom to Arthur and Daisy May Chessun (Garrett).

Sheila grew up during World War II in London. Battle tested with bombs for four years, she left school at the age of 12 to become a plane spotter for the British Royal Air Force. In doing so, she became the sole breadwinner of the household. She also became an expert at conserving rationed food for many of those war years. She went on to test to become a blue printer when she received a position as a telephone operator for the Queen, listening to all incoming and outgoing calls to Her Majesty’s office.

Working as a switchboard operator, she met her husband, an American serviceman, Weldon Dean Osgood, through a chance encounter, in 1950. They married on January 16th, 1952, and began their travels throughout the world with the Air Force. They had four children. Upon retiring in O’Fallon, Sheila became a Genealogist.

Sheila had a passion for her family. She taught them unconditional love and service to others. She encouraged her children to truly believe they could be anything their heart desired. She was an attentive, trustworthy listener to all and took many secrets to her grave.

She will always be remembered for the love and kindness that she gave unconditionally to other people throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Daisy May (Garrett) Chessun, and her daughter, Christine Frances.

She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Weldon D Osgood; her children Jonathan (Nathan) Osgood of London, United Kingdom, Dean F Osgood of Manhattan Beach, California, and Sheila A Carroll of O’Fallon, Illinois; her grandchildren Garrett Osgood, Kayleigh Browning, and Maiella Carroll, all of O’Fallon, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation in Sheila’s name to White Oak Conservation, a 17,000-acre haven for elephants and other rescued animals, located in Florida at www.whiteoakwildlife.org/give-in-memory. Or to The Childhood Trust to alleviate child poverty in the United Kingdom at www.childhoodtrust.org.uk.

The family would also like to thank The Colonnade Senior Living Center for helping to care for Sheila in the final years of her life. We would also like to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois for their exemplary care and love shown to mum over the past three years.

Funeral: Services will be held at a later date.