Raymond Joseph O’Brien, age 96, of Parnell, died Thursday morning, March 24, 2005 at the English Valley Care Center, North English following a sudden illness. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 28, 2005, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Parnell with Fr. Pat Lumsden officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Parnell. Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M. Sunday, March 27, 2005 at the church where there will be a Vigil Service at 7 P.M. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by a son, Edward “Eddie” O’Brien and wife Jean of Parnell, a daughter, Mary Jane O’Brien of Milwaukee, WI; 5 grandchildren, Katie and fiance’ Freddie Chapman of Piedmont, GA, John and Molly O’Brien of Parnell, and Eric and Aaron Johnson of Milwaukee, WI; nieces, nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nelle on October 24, 1981, 2 brothers, Robert and Bert, and a sister, Agnes Moneypenny.

Raymond Joseph O’Brien was born on January 12, 1909 at Cosgrove, IA, the son of James and Mary Barry O’Brien. He moved to the farm a mile east of Parnell in 1920, which he later purchased. In 19541. He graduated from Parnell High School in 1927 and he married Nelle McGrory on February 20, 1939 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. He followed in his father’s footsteps and farmed alongside his brothers, for many years. He gained a reputation as a breeder of fine Angus cattle. He served on the Parnell School Board for 12 years, was instrumental in establishing the ASCS Office in Williamsburg and assisted with many church projects at St. Joseph’s where he was a member since 1920.