Dorothy Ann Osgood, 93, of Champaign, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Helia Healthcare of Champaign. Dorothy was born on October 20, 1923 in Albany, Illinois to Mamie Worley and James Beetle. She married Harold Osgood in 1952 and they had five daughters. Harold preceded her in death in 1970. Survivors include her five children: Judy Osgood, Carol Osgood (Walt O'Maley), Sally Osgood (Michael Keuking), Mary Rogers (David Rogers) and Jeani Huch (Volker Huch). Dorothy has seven grandchildren: Eric Szymaszek, Patrick McDaniel, Amanda McDaniel, Anneliese Huch, Joshua Huch, Michael Rogers and Daniel Rogers. Also surviving is Dorothy's devoted and loyal friend, Ray Smith, who was by her side almost constantly over the past couple of years.

Dorothy graduated from Rockford East High School and talked about the impact of WWII on her life and career. For five years, Dorothy taught school in country schools (K-8) and taught 3rd grade in parochial schools, having obtained an emergency teaching certificate during WWII. Dorothy loved the arts and talked about the musical programs and plays she and her students performed. Dorothy played the piano and loved to sing.

In 1987, Dorothy moved to Urbana, Illinois which started her love of Urbana and the University of Illinois where her daughters Judy and Carol graduated and her grandchildren, Patrick McDaniel and Amanda McDaniel graduated. One of her favorite past times was going to the University of Illinois campus and talking to students. She once helped a foreign student who just arrived on campus find his way to the Illini Union. Dorothy was an avid reader and absolutely loved the Urbana Free library. She was well known by the reference librarians, due to her frequent visits and phone calls. Dorothy wrote several letters-to-the-editor to the News Gazette, however, became frustrated when she felt people did not take her political advice.

Due to her outgoing personality, Dorothy met President Bill Clinton when he came to speak on campus. When she told President Clinton she wrote letters to him, he took her hands and said "Thank you dear." That meant a lot to her. And by no surprise, when she met President Barack Obama when he was an Illinois state senator and was on campus, Dorothy said she told him, "I love you Senator Obama." Dorothy was not shy!!! She met Jessie Jackson and was well known by many of the local politicians. On any given day, you could see Dorothy walking or riding the bus in Champaign-Urbana.

Knowing her daughter Judy's great love of the Illini, she even prayed to Jesus during the 2005 Illinois-Arizona regional game, no doubt helping them win. Dorothy said she prayed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "Jesus, I haven't asked you for much. You have been so good to me. I have everything I want. But, I am asking for your help now. Please let the Illini win." Dorothy's grandchildren often teased her about her cigarette smoking. A few years ago, when she was about to light a cigarette, she told her grandson Patrick, "When I get to heaven, I'll ask God for a light." Dorothy loved life, her family and loved God and Jesus. We will miss her. Visitation will be Friday, March 3 from 4 to 7 pm at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, Illinois; with a time of reflection from 6-7 pm. Graveside services will be at 2:30 pm Saturday, March 4 at Willwood Burial Park Cemetery in Rockford, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to Empty Tomb http://www.emptytomb.org/ or to the Urbana Free Library Foundation http://urbanafreelibrary.org/support-us/urbana-free-library-foundation.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.