William E. O'Brien

William E. O’Brien

April 29, 1931 – July 21, 2021

GOSHEN- William E. O’Brien, 90, of Goshen, died Wednesday July 21, 2021, at Elkhart General Hospital.  He was born April 29, 1931, in Pottsville, PA to Maurice and Mary (Powers) O’Brien.

     He married Mary Bryan and she preceded him in death.  He then married Doris J. (Oaks) Krawiec on January 2, 1982, in Elkhart.  He is survived by his wife Doris; 2 sons, Timothy (Lesa) O’Brien of Elkhart, Daniel O’Brien of New Castle, IN; a son-in-law Kimothy Moser and a grandson Anthony (Meghan) O’Brien of Maryland.  Also surviving are 4 stepchildren, Ronald (Rita) Krawiec of Stanford, MI, Sharon Brown, Carol (Dan) Pessefall both of Elkhart, Steve (Melanie) Krawiec of Oshkosh, WI; his stepdaughter in law Deb Krawiec of Elkhart; 10 step grandchildren and 20 step great-grandchildren.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Mary; his daughter Patricia; 4 brothers, Maurice, Robert, Neil, Michael; 5 sisters, Patricia, Beatrice, Fran, Jean, and Mary and 2 stepsons, David, and Jeffrey Krawiec.

     William graduated in 1950 from Pottsville High School.  He was a veteran of the US Air Force from 1950-1954 in Korea and received an honorable discharge.  While in the Air Force he was a cook and was in the 782^nd Wing.

William was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bristol.  He was a devote Catholic and loved his family.  He enjoyed gardening and played a little golf.  In his younger years he enjoyed playing pool, bingo, and ballroom dancing.  William started work pushing a broom at NIBCO in 1961, he then became an electrician, and in 1976 became the World Headquarters Superintendent.  He worked at NIBCO for over 35 years.

     Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m. with the rosary being recited at 6:45 p.m. Monday July 26, 2021 at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bristol.  Friends may visit with the family for 1 hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday at the church.  Fr. Bob VanKempen will preside, and burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart with full military honors rendered.

     Memorial contributions may be given to the Indiana School for the Blind in Indianapolis or to United Cancer Services in Elkhart.

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