Obituary of Daniel O'Brien

Daniel J. O'Brien, 79, passed away quietly April 20, 2013 at the Residence of Arbor Hospice, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was born December 20, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Alvina (nee Schmelter) and Daniel O'Brien. Daniel grew up in Chicago, Illinois, attended St. Edward's Parochial School (Class of '47), St. George High School in Evanston (Class of '51), and graduated from Northwestern University (Class of '55). He was enrolled in Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University until he enlisted in the United States Army. Fluent in Spanish, he served in the Army Intelligence/Security in the Panama Canal as was honorably discharged in 1962. Daniel is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra (Morgan) O'Brien, whom he married November 26, 1960, at St. Joan of Arc's in Skokie, IL. They moved to Westlake, OH in 1961 and then to Libertyville in 1967, where they had been lifetime residents. Daniel enjoyed his life in Libertyville coaching Little League Baseball games, taking fishing trips, playing golf, and watching his beloved Cubs and Northwestern football teams. He loved to tinker with home projects, and could be found in his later years challenging himself with crossword puzzles and closely following the stock market. He enjoyed having many lifetime friends in the area, and taking road trips to visit his son, daughter, and his grandchildren. He moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in July 2012 after a stroke and rehabilitation. Surviving are his son, Neil (Sarah) O'Brien of Parkville, MO; daughter, Rachel (Quentin) Clemens of Dexter, MI; and his grandchildren, Katherine, Ryan, and Evelyn; and sister, Mary Hechinger. Daniel's family will receive friends form 4:00-7:00 PM Saturday May 25 at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Place (Route 176, one block East of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Daniel's name may be made to the Arbor Hospice Foundation, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-8944. For funeral information, call 847-362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com