Eunice E. O'Brien

Eunice E. O’Brien, OF 1165 Jefferson St., Galesburg, died at 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at home.   Eunice was born on September 20, 1911 in Kirkwood, the daughter of Emmett and Nora Armstrong Slagle.  She married Guy Brantingham in 1932.  He died in 1970.  She married Tom O’Brien on December 8, 1972 in Galesburg.  Surviving Eunice are her husband Tom of Galesburg; 3 daughters:  Shirley (Ralph) Ranney of Oklahoma City, OK, Linda (Keith) Howver of Sierra Vista, AZ; and Sharon (Bob) Miller of Abingdon; 3 sisters:  Mary (Fred) Sage of Moline, Mildred Johnston of Muscatine, IA, and Ruth McKinnon of Galesburg; 2 sisters-in-law:  Virginia Slagle of Westchester and Elma Jensen of Riverside, CA; 1 brother-in-law Marcus (Clara) O’Brien of Ocala, FL.  Also surviving Eunice are 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 daughter Margie Brantingham-McBride; 1 step-son Thomas O’Brien, III; 1 step-daughter Lorraine O’Brien-Seggelke; 1 brother and 2 sisters.   Eunice was reared and educated in Kirkwood, and lived most of her adult life in Monmouth and Galesburg.  She worked at Mayfreds, Barnes Bakery Department, and Monmouth College food service, all in Monmouth.  She also worked at Carson Pierre Scott, O.T. Johnson, and 15 years at the old downtown Walgreens, all in Galesburg.   Eunice was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 Auxiliary.  Eunice was an avid cook and homemaker.  She was the friendliest and kindest person you could ever meet, and never had a harsh word to say to anyone.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, with the Rev. Ernest Pizzamiglio, officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 –7 p.m. on Wednesday January 31, 2007 at Watson Funeral Home, with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice or the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 Auxiliary.