Robert E. “Gene” O’Brien, 67, of West Liberty, passed away at 1:46 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on July 3, 1953 in Urbana, Ohio, a son of Willadean Emily (Mefford) O’Brien and the late Robert Albert O’Brien.
Gene is survived by his life partner, Judy Boyd; two daughters, Rachel (Michael) Phelps and Sarah (Shane) Boggs; three stepchildren, Curt (Mandy) Boyd, Angie (Butch) Saunders, and John (Sherri) Boyd; three grandchildren, Damen Eugene Young, Lane Jennings Boggs, and Hudson Robert Phelps; 8 step grandchildren; a brother, Ronald Dean O’Brien; a sister-in-law, Angie O’Brien; a niece, Lauren O’Brien; and two nephews, Marshal O’Brien, and Eli O’Brien. In addition to his father, Gene was also preceded in death by a brother, Jeff O’Brien.
Gene had worked as a mechanical engineer for the former D.A.B. in Bellefontaine. An avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Gene was a lover of the outdoors, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, feeding birds, and watching sports and NASCAR on TV.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 101 Zanesfield Road in West Liberty, where Pastor Bill Walker will officiate a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Springhill Cemetery in Springhills, Ohio.
Memorial contribution may be made to any charity of the donor’s choice.
EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, WEST LIBERTY is honored to serve the O’Brien family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.