William Christopher O’Brian, 98, of Montgomery, passed away at 12:55 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Emerald Place in Washington.
He was born July 4, 1922 in Montgomery, Indiana to the late James Christopher and Etta (Clements) O’Brian.
Chris married Luella (Taylor) O’Brian on August 16, 1947 and she preceded him in death.
He was a World War II veteran and served for three years and three months in Europe.
Chris served as the postmaster of Montgomery for thirty-two years and contributed a lifetime of service in the Daviess County community.
He assisted in organizing a local Boy Scout Troop in 1957 in Montgomery and a Cub Scout & Explorer Troop in 1960.
Chris was instrumental, along with others, in forming the Montgomery Ruritan Club. He was a charter member and served as president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer (twice). Chris was an organizer of Montco (Montgomery Future Inc.), a non-profit organization formed in the early 1960’s to buy neglected properties. The refurbished lots were used for residential and business development. A few of the properties that have been recycled into major community improvements through the effort of Montco are, The Montgomery Housing Development for Senior Citizens, the Montgomery Medical Clinic building, and Barr-Reeve Central Administration Office.
He formerly served on several boards promoting the interest of senior citizens, such as, Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging and Disability. As a part of Generations, he assisted area senior citizens in completing tax filings for many years.
Chris was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella O’Brian; parents, James Christopher and Ettta O’Brian; brother, Robert O’Brian.
Chris is survived by his children, Gene (Peggy) O’Brian of Bedford, Terry (Donna) O’Brian of Montgomery and Mary Ann (Gary) Woodword of Franklin; grandchildren, Sean, Jason, Amanda, Chris (Phadrea), Glen (Lori), Corey (Staci) and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Quinn, Piper, Jazlyn, Eliana, Kegin, Gage, Raylan, Wyatt; brother, Donald O’Brian.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Sudhakar Bhastati at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Montgomery. Burial will follow in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 2, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Montgomery.
The family requests that masks be worn by everyone in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helping Hands Christian Ministry c/o Mike Healy, P.O. Box 146, Montgomery, Indiana 47558 or Montgomery Ruritan Club/Chris O’Brian Community Special Needs Fund.
Condolences may be made online at www.blakefuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements were provided by Blake & Wagler Funeral Home in Montgomery.
