Minerd.com Biography of Osborne Warren and Gertrude Sara (Osler) Ream of Confluence, PA

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Osborne Warren 'Os' Ream
(1918-1980)

Osborne and Gertrude, Christmas, 1979

Osborne Warren "Os" Ream was born on Sept. 30, 1918 in Lower Turkeyfoot Township near Confluence, Somerset County, PA. He was the 15th of 16 children born to Joseph and Sarah Ellen (Harbaugh) Ream.

Osborne married later in life, having resided with his parents for many years on the farm near Ursina. He later acquired the family farm after his parents passed away. Circa 1941, he was employed on a township road crew managed by George Burnworth.

He enjoyed deer hunting and in December 1946, at the start of deer season, made news in the Connellsville Daily Courier when he and his brothers Harvey and Norman all felled bucks.

On April 16, 1949 at the age of 31, he was united in marriage with 33-year-old Gertrude Sara Osler (1916-2000), daughter of Freeman Searight and Anna Elizabeth (Spear) Osler. The groom was two years younger than the bride.

They enjoyed three decades of marriage and together produced a trio of daughters -- Anna Elizabeth Ream, Janet Elaine Burnworth and Iva Kathleen Barkley.

News coverage of the 1970 fire

In the summer after their wedding, on Aug. 12, 1949, Osborne was badly cut and hospitalized following a farm accident. A story in the Daily Courier reported that his right leg was badly cut when it "became tangled in a combine in operation at his farm."

Sadly, at the age of two and a half months, daughter Anna contracted a serious case of bilateral bronchial pneumonia and a severe cold. She was admitted to Price Hospital in Confluence, but was unable to rally, and she died on Nov. 9, 1950. Her tender remains were placed into gentle repose in the Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery near Ursina.

The Reams were longtime members of the Confluence Church of the Nazarene. In the early 1970s, they and their daughter Iva attended the annual Osler Reunion held at the home of Floyd Osler in Markleysburg.

Tragedy struck in 1970, when a fire swept through their home near Confluence as the family slept. While Osborne, Gertrude and Janet escaped, daughter Iva was burned over 18 percent of her body. Osborne's sister Letitia Silbaugh, who was visiting overnight, was unable to be roused, and perished.

Jersey Baptist Church near Ursina, PA

The Red Cross mounted a drive to collect furniture, food, clothing and appliances to help the Reams replace the contents of their home.

Osborne never liked having his photograph likeness taken. The image at the top of this biography was made in 1979 at his last Christmas.

After a lingering illness, Osborne passed away on May 10, 1980, at the age of 61. Rev. Donald DeHaven officiated at his funeral and burial at Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery. A news obituary was printed in The Republic of Meyersdale.

Gertrude survived her husband by two decades. Suffering from cancer of the spine, she was admitted to the Henry Clay Villa in Markleysburg. She passed away at the age of 84 on Oct. 4, in 2000. Rev. James Thompson preached at her funeral service. In an obituary, the Somerset Daily American noted that she was survived by six grandchildren.

Osborne is mentioned in the book Draketown Past & Present.

~ Daughter Janet Elaine (Ream) Burnworth ~

Daughter Janet Elaine Ream (1953-2026) was born on Nov. 15, 1953.

On April 13, 1972, when she was 18 years of age, Janet entered into marriage with Nelson Junior Burnworth (April 24, 1950-1981), the son of Roy Nelson and Violet R. (Tressler) Burnworth of Stewart Township, Fayette County.

The Burnworths made their home in Confluence.

They bore a family of three children -- Sara Lynn Burnworth, Ozzie Nelson Burnworth and Loretta Lynn Williams.

Heartache rocked the family when Nelson died on Nov. 6, 1981 at the age of 31 in Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital. Rev. Harvey Rugg officiated at the funeral and burial in Maple Summit Cemetery. An obituary was printed in The Republic of Meyersdale.

Janet survived her husband by nearly 45 years. In 2023, she endured the untimely passing of her daughter Sara. The angel of death spirited Janet away on Feb. 27, 2026. Interment was in Maple Summit Cemetery.

Daughter Sara Lynn Burnworth (1972-2023) was born in 1972. She became the mother of Amanda Durst (1993- ? ). She and Howard Lancaster ( ? - ? ) bore a son, Aaron Burman Lancaster. Sara resided in Somerset at one time. In 1998, she made news when taking her young children to National Night Out in the borough. Later in life she moved to Ligonier, Westmoreland County. Her companion for many years was Christopher Loop. Said an obituary, Sarah "loved... rescuing animals in need." Sadly, at the age of 50, she was enveloped by death on March 9, 2023.

Granddaughter Amanda Burnworth married Chad Durst ( ? - ? ), son of Ricky Wayne and Kathy (Martin) Durst of Stoystown. They are the parents of four -- Benson Durst, Carter Durst, Tanner Durst and Paislee Durst.

Grandson Aaron Burman Lancaster (1995-2025) was born on Nov. 3, 1995. For some time, he was a companion of Ruth Irwin. Said an obituary, "Aaron enjoyed working on his bikes and spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He was a very social and lovable guy, who had an impact on many. He was a generous and kindhearted man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone." Tragically, at the age of 29, he was killed in an accident on Sept. 8, 2025. News sources reported that he "was struck and killed while riding his e-bike along Somerset Pike" at the intersection of Penn Avenue in Somerset Township. Said the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, he was hit "from the rear by a vehicle traveling in the same direction."

Son Ozzie Nelson Burnworth (1974- ? ) was born in about 1974. He is thought to have been named for the American television actor who starred in his own show, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Ozzie is a 1992 graduate of Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School. He was united in matrimony with Loretta ( ? - ? ). They became the parents of Kristen Burnworth. Circa 2000, he dwelled in Farmington and in 2017 in Meyersdale. Then in about Oct. 2017, he wed 52-year-old Gloria Mae Patton ( ? - ? ) of Meyersdale.

Granddaughter Kristen Burnworth is the mother of Theo Burnworth. Her companion circa 2026 was Matthew Riedmann.

Daughter Loretta Lynn Burnworth ( ? - ? ) appears to have been named for the famous American country music singer and songwriter. She is a 1993 graduate of Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School. Loretta was joined in wedlock with (?) Williams. Her homeplace in 2000 was in Jacksonville, FL.

~Daughter Iva Kathleen (Ream) Barkley ~

Daughter Iva Kathleen Ream ( ? -living) was born in (?).

She married Lawrence R. "Larry" Barkley (1954-2005), son of Ronald and Beatrice (Dollman) Barkley of Mercer County, PA.

They resided in Confluence, and their children were Michelle Barkley, Larry Barkley and Chad Barkley.

Lawrence was a member of the Turkeyfoot High School Athletic Boosters. In the early-to-mid-1970s, they attended the Osler Reunion held at the Markleysburg home of Floyd Osler.

Sadly, Lawrence passed away at home at the age of 50 on March 24, 2005. Funeral services were led by Rev. Timothy Gosnell followed by interment in the Barkley-Ream Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Somerset Daily American.

Daughter Michelle Renea Barkley ( ? - ? ) is a 1995 graduate of Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School. She is the mother of a son born in 1998. Michelle was employed at Seven Springs Mountain Resort circa 2001.

Son Laurence Barkley ( ? - ? ) is a 1999 graduate of Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School.

Son Chad Wilson Barkley ( ? - ? )