Arvilla M. Osche, 85, of Saxonburg died Friday at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.

Born March 31, 1919, in Jefferson Township, she was the daughter of Peter and Lillian Risch Kriley.

She was a loving wife, mother and volunteer. When her children were young, she was active in the PTA and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts for a number of years. She also served as a host for foreign exchange students.

Mrs. Osche was active in her community and church. She was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cabot. She was the first woman elected to church council, serving during the construction of the new parish. Mrs. Osche was a Sunday school teacher, eucharistic minister, lector and served daily mass for years.

Mrs. Osche volunteered at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital for more than 45 years. Nearly every Wednesday, she would be at the hospital greeting visitors as the escort dispatcher or baking for patients.

She had more than 26,700 hours of volunteer time and was recognized by the hospital on several occasions.

Mrs. Osche was the American Legion Auxiliary representative for the Veteran’s Affairs Volunteer Services and also served as poppy chairman. She was an active advocate for veterans through many outreach programs, including community based outpatient services.

Her service in the American Legion included roles as chaplain, western vice president and state vice president. Mrs. Osche was elected president of the state American Legion Auxiliary, serving from 1988-89.

She assisted her husband, Louis, in operating Osche’s Amoco on Route 356 for years.

Survivors include five sons, Lanny (Betty) Osche of Cabot, Melford Osche of Virginia Beach, Va., Louis Osche of Butler, Orvil (Shirley) and Garrett (Charmaine) Osche, both of Saxonburg; and two daughters, Mrs. Roger (Marcia) Wissinger of Butler and Mrs. Dale (Arvilla) Gordon of Tampa, Fla.

She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mae Bowser and Mrs. Janette Beblo, both of Butler; 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis C. Osche, who died May 6, 1986; three brothers, August, Paul and Gerald Kriley; two sisters, Violet Neeley and Bertha Dunkle; a grandson, Paul Louis; a niece, and a nephew.

<B>OSCHE</B> —Friends of Arvilla M. Osche, who died Friday, March 25, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg. A mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rev. John Getsy will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.