Rene 'Butch' Howard Osterberger
Rene “Butch” Howard Osterberger, 79, of Cincinnati, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 at the Fairfield Mercy Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Rene was born May 17, 1945 in Dallas, Texas, the son of the late Rene L. and Dora Lee (Howard) Osterberger.
Rene was a 1963 graduate from Seven Mile High School, and he went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was a proud member of their ROTC program. Growing up, he loved playing baseball and football. He was an outdoorsman, and he enjoyed hunting, taking rides on his Harley, playing softball with his friends, and playing the guitar and singing with his brother, Mike. Most of all, he loved the game of golf.
Rene enjoyed being an educator and he taught OWE and physical education at Hillsboro High School. During his time at Hillsboro High School, he was the assistant coach for the football program and also coached track and baseball. Later, he taught in the Columbus school system and then became an educational manager at several proprietary schools in the Cincinnati area. He retired from OPW Fueling Components in Cincinnati.
After retiring, Rene loved his new job working at golf courses in the Hamilton area, where he worked to play free golf. He was a member of the St. John Neumann Catholic Church, member of the Leesburg Masonic Lodge #78 F&AM and also attended the Hamer Lodge #228, and a 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite Valley of Cincinnati. He loved his family, and he will be greatly missed.
Rene is survived by his wife of 39 years, Gayla Woods Osterberger, whom he married Aug. 2, 1985; two children, Courtney (Jerry) Vail of Monroe, and her children Alexander Smith and Noah Vail, and Jessica (Rory) Johnson of Fairfield, and her children, Jayla Keller and Ryerson Johnson, and a great-grandson, Navi Cobbins; his late son Skip’s children, Devan (Dusten Garrett) Osterberger, Rene Tristan Osterberger and a great-grandson, Brailyn Garrett; a niece, Gina Sergent; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Woods of Hillsboro, two sisters-in-law, Ellen Woods Butcher of Hillsboro and Debra Wallingford of Hillsboro; two brothers-in-law, Tyler (Jennifer) Woods of Maineville and Marc Woods of Erlanger, Ky.; his beloved dog, Gunner; and many more nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, Rene was preceded in death by his son, Rene “Skip” Osterberger; his brother, Michael (Corrine) Osterberger; stepmother, Mildred Osterberger; father-in-law, J.P. Woods, and two brothers-in-law, Charles Wallingford and Steve Woods.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. at the Turner & Son Funeral Home, 602 N. High Street, Hillsboro 45133. Masonic service and Scottish Rite Ring Ceremony will be held following visitation on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. Funeral services will take place Wednesday Sept. 4, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow services in the Maineville Cemetery, E. Foster-Maineville Rd. Maineville 45039.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rene’s name to the National Kidney Foundation, 9674 Colerain Ave. #297, Cincinnati 45251.
To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.