Lightning strike kills Howell woman

HOWELL - Friends and family mourned the loss this week of 45-year-old Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Osler of Howell, who was struck and killed by lightning on the evening of Aug. 17 as a violent rainstorm moved through the area.

Police said Osler was struck by a bolt of lightning as she walked outside the Ivy League bar and grill at Route 9 north and East Third Street.

According to a police press release, Osler "was walking into the Ivy League restaurant when she was struck by lightning. [She] was walking with a friend who was not struck or injured, but was thrown to the ground from the impact of the strike. [Osler] was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation by police and EMS personnel on scene."

Osler was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, where she was pronounced dead at 9:01 p.m.

Osler is survived by her husband, Frank J; her son, Frank J. Jr; two daughters, Michelle J. and Karra A.; two grandsons, Alexander and Richard Baris, all of Howell; her parents, Steve R. and Catherine Skiba Salva of Port Richey, Fla.; two brothers, Stephen Salva of Los Angeles, Calif., and Michael Salva of Old Bridge; and two sisters, Kathryn Giudice of Waretown and Elaine Dorn of South Amboy.