EVANSVILLE - Joseph F. O'Brien Sr., age 80 of Evansville, WI, died after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at his home. He was born on July 14, 1928 to Joseph and Eva (Kendall - Sommers) O'Brien. He graduated from Darlington High School in the Class of 1946. In 1948, he attended UW-Madison Dairy Short Course. Joe served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. On June 9, 1955, he married Isabel R. Templeton in Brodhead. They were married for 25 years and raised four children. Joe was a prize-winning butter maker and worked at various dairies. He worked at Pabst in Paoli for 23 years. Then, before retiring in 1997, he worked at UW-Madison for 15 years. Joe enjoyed playing pool and euchre and played in many leagues. He also enjoyed the company of his old cat, Tootsie. He was a member of the Bates-O'Brien-Howe-Wiegel American Legion Post #214.
Survivors include his children: Jean O'Brien of Madison, Julie (Rod) Hilmer of Brodhead, Jerry (Mary) O'Brien of Belleville; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; four sisters: Juanita Prine of Darlington, Rose Ann (Ron) Kolb of Rockford, Barbara Nyman of Rock City, IL, Mary (Norman) Lancaster of Brodhead; a brother: Robert O'Brien of Texas; a sister-in-law: Leone O'Brien of Darlington; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Joe also shared his life with a special friend, almost a brother, Dan Guadagno of Darlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joseph O'Brien Jr., in 2002; two sisters: Lauretta Pattinson and Ada Paynter; three brothers: James, Henry, and Bernard O'Brien; and three step-sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH in Darlington with Fr. Randy Budnar officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. prior to the Mass on Saturday at the church. The Steil Camacho Funeral Home, 206 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, WI, is serving the family. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Rock County Hospice and Bright Star for their wonderful care.
www.darlingtonfuneralhome.com
(608) 776-2461
Survivors include his children: Jean O'Brien of Madison, Julie (Rod) Hilmer of Brodhead, Jerry (Mary) O'Brien of Belleville; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; four sisters: Juanita Prine of Darlington, Rose Ann (Ron) Kolb of Rockford, Barbara Nyman of Rock City, IL, Mary (Norman) Lancaster of Brodhead; a brother: Robert O'Brien of Texas; a sister-in-law: Leone O'Brien of Darlington; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Joe also shared his life with a special friend, almost a brother, Dan Guadagno of Darlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joseph O'Brien Jr., in 2002; two sisters: Lauretta Pattinson and Ada Paynter; three brothers: James, Henry, and Bernard O'Brien; and three step-sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH in Darlington with Fr. Randy Budnar officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. prior to the Mass on Saturday at the church. The Steil Camacho Funeral Home, 206 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, WI, is serving the family. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Rock County Hospice and Bright Star for their wonderful care.
www.darlingtonfuneralhome.com
(608) 776-2461