Obituary of James O'Brien

James E. O'Brien Age 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2008 with his family by his side. Jim was born June 8, 1925 on his family farm on Lorenzo Rd., Wilmington, IL. He attended grade school at Lorenzo Public School. He is a graduate of Wilmington High School Class of 1943. He was a farmer by profession farming in Will and Kendall Counties. Jim was also employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company, retiring in 1987. Jim married Virginia (McCarthy) December 1, 1951 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. Virginia preceded him in death December 8, 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard "Jay" and Florence (Haley) O'Brien; his brother, Dick; and sister, Mary Agnes Shepley; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Timothy and Agnes McCarthy; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Colette and Bill Adelmann; brother-in-law, Tony Nusbaumer. Survived by nine children, Pat (Peg), Rick, Tim, Mike (Sue), Larry (Julie), Dan (Marie), Tom (Jodi) O'Brien, Maureen (John) Konopek, and Kathleen (Steve) Byrd; 29 grandchildren, Bridget, Cara, Patrick, Jr., Sean, Karey, Natalie, Shane, Haley, T.J., Jake, Matthew, John, Katie, Erin, Kevin, Patrick, Luke, Connor, Maggie, Hayden, Maura, Ashlyn, Molly, and Colin O'Brien; Caitlin and Nick Konopek; and Megan, Nolan, and Evan Byrd; a sister-in-law, Rita Nusbaumer; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry and Joanne McCarthy; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was a member of St. Rose Altar and Rosary Society, member of the Will County Farm Bureau; proud to show off his 100% Irish heritage by being past member of the Irish American Society of Will County. He was a 4-H softball coach both in Goose Lake and Minooka for his children. Jim was an avid Chicago White Sox fan and Chicago Bears fan. The family would like to send a special thank you to the caring and loving nurses, CNA's, and staff members at Mother Theresa Home in Lemont, IL and Joliet Area Community Hospice. Funeral services for Jim will be Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to Holy Family Catholic Church, Shorewood for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery in Minooka. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Joliet Area Community Hospice or Catholic Education Foundation Diocese of Joliet would be appreciated. Visitation Monday 3-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500 www.fredcdames.com