Dr. Osbey L. Sayler, MD

Dr. Osbey L. Sayler, MD, 81, of Middleburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2022. He was born on January 15, 1941, the first-born son of Calvin E. and Ethel A. Sayler of Underwood, North Dakota. Osbey attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. Skipping his senior year of college, he attended medical school in North Dakota and then graduated from medical school at Indiana University in 1966. Following medical school, he joined the United States Navy as an Officer, where he completed his residency as a general surgeon. He was initially stationed in Virginia and then Iceland before being stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Following his service to his country, he continued his practice as a general surgeon at multiple hospitals in the Orange Park and Jacksonville area.  For years he advertised about the importance of colon cancer screenings in the weekly newspaper television guide.  He retired from his general medical practice in 1992, but continued volunteering his time and medical expertise abroad. He was a very talented surgeon and physician who was beloved by his patients and loved the practice of medicine.  

Osbey most recently attended River Christian Church in Fleming Island, Florida.  When his sons were young, he was very active with the Royal Rangers programs at Orange Park, Calvary, and Evangel Temple Assemblies of God churches. In retirement, he helped build churches overseas and led multiple medical missions teams throughout Central America, South America, and China, providing health care to those who needed it most. He had a passion for all things golf and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Like his father Calvin, he could build almost anything, and most days you could find him working on something in the yard or in his garage or creating something useful out of an ordinary clothes hanger.

Osbey will be remembered for all the wonderful time and effort he invested in the church and his medical missions work. He will be remembered most for his love of family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Ethel Sayler and his brother Hugh.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Etta (Holmes) Sayler; his children, Bryan Sayler (Sandy Sayler), Mitchell Sayler (Kira Sayler), Erik Sayler (Jana Sayler), Mary Beth Johnson (Charles Raulerson), Andrew Sayler, Rachel Ryan (Glenn Ryan), and Garrett Sayler; seventeen grandchildren, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Emily, Lauren, Linnea, Scott, Jacob, Isabelle, Mikayla, Chaz, Lauren, Juliet, Lila, Eleanor, Kirk, Jon Archer and Virginia. His quiver was indeed very full and he will be greatly missed.

Osbey, a husband, father, and friend has “slipped the surly bonds of earth” and he has “touched the face of God.” As he trusted in Christ, so we trust he is better off than we are. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Amen.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2022 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. Funeral service to begin at 3:00 pm with Pastor Garry Wiggins and Pastor Nathan Freeman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to Teen Challenge (https://teenchallengeusa.org/give/).