Raymond Francis O’Brien, 89, of Morrisonville, died on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Carriage Crossing Senior Living of Taylorville.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at Perfetti- Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville, located at 304 Carlin St. Funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at St. Maurice Catholic Church, located at 706 SE 4th St.in Morrisonville, with Father Florent Kanga officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.
Mr. O’Brien was born Nov. 10,1934, in rural Owaneco, the son of John “Edward” and Helen Margaret O’Brien. He married Darlene A. Weitekamp on Nov. 26, 1955, at the St. Maurice Catholic Church of Morrisonville. They would spend the next 68 years of their life making memories and creating a wonderful family together.
Mr. O’Brien was a lifelong resident of the area, attending the local Morrisonville school. Being a man of faith, he spent his lifetime as a devout member of St. Maurice Catholic Church. Back in his younger days, one would find him hanging around the antique tractor pulls, but, oftentimes, in recent years, one would find him volunteering his time in the community, washing dishes at the annual bazaar or frying the fish at the Morrisonville Picnic.
On any given day, one could find Mr. O’Brien working on the farm. He was a passionate man, who did not step down from a challenge and worked tirelessly to get the job done. The only thing that he loved more than farming was his family. Although he spent his life working the farm, he also worked for Wabash Railroad in his youth and drove trucks that hauled a variety of products such as grain, hay and livestock.
Mr. O’Brien was preceded in death by his parents; John and Helen; brother, Thomas O’Brien; sister, Dolores Schmedeke; and great-granddaughter, Lillian O’Brien.
Mr. O’Brien is survived by his wife, Darlene of Morrisonville; son, Eric (Becky) O’Brien of Morrisonville and daughters, Kathy (Eric Jackstadt) O’Brien of Carlinville and Marla (Brad) McGaw of Poplar Grove; grandchildren, Steven (Elysse) O’Brien, Kenny (Jensen) O’Brien, all of Morrisonville, Amanda (Bryce) Brockelsby of Edinburg, Lauren (Dwight) Behme of Carlinville, Abby (Andrew) Fancher of Panama City, FL, and Jacob McGaw of Orlando, FL; great-grandchildren, Jackson Davis, Coop O’Brien, Reid Behme, Allison Brockelsby and Liam O’Brien; brother, Joseph O’Brien of Taylorville; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial contributions may be given at the funeral or mailed to: St. Maurice Catholic Church, 706 SE 4th Street, Morrisonville, IL 62546, Morrisonville Food Pantry, 309 SE 6th St., Morrisonville, IL 62546 or Morrisonville Community Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 641, Morrisonville, IL 62546.
The family has entrusted Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home with the ceremonies. Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
