Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Henry O'Brien

Sep 18th, 1955 - Jul 12th, 2016

   Henry E. O'Brien, age 60, of Xenia, Illinois, went to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning, July 12, 2016, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, with his wife by his side.

   Henry was born in Songer Township, Xenia, Illinois, on a Sunday, September 18, 1955, to James and Geneva (Miller) O’Brien, and was in church the next Sunday.

   Many will remember him as that boy who always had a broken leg.  It wasn’t until later in life that it was discovered he had a rare bone disease, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), causing his bones to be very brittle.  He spent many of his years in pain because of this disease, but was a man full of love, joy, laughter, kindness, and most importantly his faith in God.  Henry’s favorite things were his grandson Colten, westerns, animals, music, and he was a big WWE fan.  Many have enjoyed his singing and guitar playing over the years.  Henry always wanted to be working.  He had his own auto garage and helped farm; raised hogs, chickens, and horses; and then worked at Xenia Manufacturing until his body made him stop.  The last thing he hated to give up was mowing the lawn.

   Henry met and married the love of his life, Susan Kautz Phillips, on September 7, 2012.  Their time together was too short but their perfect, healing love was a blessing from God.  Henry had one child he raised, loved and adored – Brittiney.  She was the apple of his eye and has been quoted by many as always saying “Just me and my Dad!”

   Henry is survived by his wife Susan O’Brien, mother Geneva (Don) Welty, daughter Brittiney (Curtis) Greenwood, grandson Colten O’Brien, and his brothers Gary (Connie) O’Brien and Larry O’Brien all of Clay County; a brother-in-law George Tepker of Chatham; along with a niece Amy O’Brien and nephews Chris O’Brien and Brent and Brian Pearson.  He was preceded in death by his father James F. O’Brien and a sister Jeannie Tepker.

   A funeral service for Henry O’Brien will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with visitation from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday. Lance Thackrey will officiate.  Interment will be in Oak Mound Cemetery, Xenia.  Memorial donations in Henry’s memory may be given to OIF (Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation) and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a message or condolence with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.  

 

Visit the OIF (Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation) website by clicking here.