James Patrick O'Brien

James Patrick O'Brien, 79, of Butler passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born June 26, 1941, in Dunn County, Wis., he was the son of the late Paul Francis and Gladys Elaine Batchelder O'Brien.

Jim was a 1959 graduate of Chaska High School, Chaska, Minn.

A Vietnam War veteran, Jim served in the U.S. Navy for 7½ years as an electrician's mate, first class. He served aboard the USS Quapaw, USS Lowry and USS Basilone. His military service included being in Cuba at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

After serving an apprenticeship at Armco Steel, he went on to work as a millwright. He retired from Armco, with 31 years of service.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler, where he was an usher and greeter. He also served on the church council for two terms.

Jim was a lifetime member of VFW Post 249 of Butler, where he was an officer for many years. He also was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora.

Jim, who grew up on a farm, loved to garden. He liked the outdoors and he enjoyed hunting. He often commented that he used his time working outside to meditate and pray.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Anne Oesterling O'Brien, whom he met in Philadelphia when he was in the Navy. They married Feb. 28, 1964.

He is also survived by two sons, Paul Patrick O'Brien of Butler and Craig Patrick O'Brien and his wife, Chelsea, of South Jordan, Utah; one grandson, Jack Emmett O'Brien; one sister, Judy Stottle of Conyers, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Joyce Oesterling of Pittsburgh; three nephews; two nieces; and a number of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Everett and Connie Oesterling; one sister, Patricia Nyberg; three brothers-in-law, John Nyberg, Dr. Everett Oesterling and Burton Stottle; and one nephew, Kurt Nyberg.

O'BRIEN — Funeral services and burial were private for James Patrick O'Brien, who died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, with the Rev. Joel Benson pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.Military honors were accorded by American Legion Post 778, VFW Post 249, and American Legion Post 117.Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler.Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Dr., Butler, PA 16001, or VFW Post 249, 429 W. Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001.For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.