John T. O'Brien

July 1, 1926 - April 14, 2013

John Thomas O’Brien, son of George L. O’Brien and Sara (Britt) O’Brien was born July 1, 1926 at Grafton, Bennett Township, Nebraska. He passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Heritage Crossing in Geneva at the age of 86 years, 9 months, 13 days. He was one of eight children in the family. John attended Rural School District 61 (the O’Brien School) which his Grandfather, John O’Brien, Sr., had attended with his children. His grandfather had come to America from Ireland. John graduated from Geneva High School in the class of 1943. His father passed away when he was 11 years of age. John farmed for five years after graduation and then started working at the Geneva State Bank in July 1948. He advanced from bookkeeper to Vice President and Director. He married Margaret Mary Weis, daughter of John R. and Margaret Weis, of Geneva on June 7, 1950. To this union 10 children were born: Margaret, John J., Mary Kathryn, Patrick J., Sharon, Joseph, Jane, Suzanne, Michele, and Anne. He was most proud that the children were all college graduates. John was Past President of the Cornhusker Chapter Bank Administration Institute, Past Secretary of the Geneva City Planning Commission, Past Secretary and Treasurer of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva Alumni Association, Past President of the Geneva Rotary Club and Paul Harris Fellow, he served as Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 175, he was a member of the Crosier Apostolate, he was a trustee of St. Joseph Catholic Church and on the St. Joseph Cemetery Association for a number of years, and he was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7684, serving as the Financial Secretary for over 15 years, and was considered an Honorary Life Member. John was honored by the Nebraska Bankers Association on May 1, 1998 for 50 years of service to Commercial Banking. John was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Theresa O’Brien, Helen Jennett, Mary McCarthy, Kathleen Bender; and by brothers Lawrence O’Brien and Michael O’Brien. John is survived by his wife, Mary of Geneva; children Margaret & husband David Fuchser of O’Neill, NE, John J. & wife Linda O’Brien of Sacramento, CA, Mary Kathryn & husband Thomas Gregg of Ralston, NE, Patrick J. & wife Cheryl O’Brien of Carroll, IA, Sharon & husband Max Miller of Geneva, NE, Joseph B. & wife Ann O’Brien of Malvern, PA, Jane O’Brien of Storm Lake, IA, Suzanne Zeutzius of Lincoln, NE, Michele & husband Matthew Gotschall of Columbus, NE, and Anne & husband Glen Slater of Clay Center, NE; sister Frances Fessler of Sutton, NE; Grandchildren Brian Fuchser, Elizabeth Fuchser and Kathryn & Kyle Meyer, Christina and Robert Gregg, Adam & wife Jaime O’Brien and Quinn & wife Miranda O’Brien, Margie, Mark, and Matthew Miller, Carissa and Sean O’Brien, Benjamin Heath, Tanner and Emma Zeutzius, Madalyn, Macy, Molly, Monica, and Mallory Gotschall, Sara, Amanda and Nicholas Slater; great grandchildren Connor & Noah O’Brien. A Funeral Mass for John was held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva, Nebraska. Father Tom Walsh officiated the service. A Rosary was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church led by Father Tom Walsh. Carol Grote accompanied Margaret Fuchser in the singing of “Ave Maria,” and she accompanied Pat O’Brien in the singing of “The Lord’s Prayer.” Carol also accompanied the congregation in the singing of “O What Could My Jesus Do More,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Prayer Of St. Francis,” and “Jesus Christ Has Risen Today.” Pallbearers for the service included Brian Fuchser, Robert Gregg, Adam O’Brien, Quinn O’Brien, Mark Miller, Matthew Miller, Sean O’Brien, Ben Heath, Tanner Zeutzius, and Nicholas Slater. Interment for John was held in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Geneva. Memorials are directed to the family to be designated at a later date. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.