Rosemary "Rosie" Lee Oesterling Chance

Rosemary “Rosie” Lee (Oesterling) Chance was born on Nov 3, 1937, in Rushville, IN, to Lawrence & Alvena (Draping) Oesterling. Rosie was a lifelong resident of Rush County and graduated from Oldenburg Academy in 1955. She married Francis Joseph “Joe” Chance on October 10, 1959, and he survives. Throughout Rosie’s life, she enjoyed social connection and using her creative talents, and she found multiple ways to do both as an active member of the community. Rosie was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rushville. Rosie especially enjoyed serving as Sacristan and decorating the church for two decades, ensuring the traveling wise men made their journey each Christmas. She served as a Eucharistic minister in both church and to the homebound, sang in the choir, and served on multiple committees, including the liturgy committee. Aside from church, Rosie’s other roles ensured that she knew someone nearly everywhere she went. Rosie drove countless children to school as the driver of Bus #4 for nearly 30 years for Rush County Schools, was a Mary Kay beauty consultant for 40 years, and enjoyed ushering at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium for 20 years. She was a member of the Gingham Gals Home Ec Club and the Union Study Club. Rosie’s love of sewing also took her to multiple craft shows, which she attended with her best friend, Rosie Cain. Rosie loved celebrating life: a good visit, a game of cards, traveling to 48 states and Ireland/London, hosting friends and family, and being part of events big and small. She was a passionate basketball fan and loved a good toast. In addition to her husband, Rosie is survived by two children, Cindy (John) Powers and David (Dawn) Chance, both of Rushville; grandchildren Pam Wicker, Craig Powers (Melinda Alvarez), Taylor (Beau) Whittaker, and Brooklyn (Sam) Snemis; and great-grandchildren Charlotte Chance, Parker Bryan, and Isla and Grant Wicker. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ruth Pflum; grandson, Jared Chance; and grandson-in-law, Jaret Wicker. Visitation will be held at Moster Mortuary in Rushville, IN from 4-8:00 pm on Thursday, Sept 10th. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, Sept 11th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rushville with Fr. Dustin Boehm presiding, with burial following the service at Calvary Cemetery, also in Rushville. Memorial contributions in Rosie’s honor may be made to a fund of the donor’s choice through the Rush County Community Foundation.

Rosemary "Rosie" Lee Oesterling Chance

November 3, 1937 - September 7, 2026