Virginia O'Brien

Virginia Susan Yuhas O’Brien, 89 of Streator, died Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Heritage Health in Streator, Illinois. Virginia was born in Streator, the daughter of Andrew and Susan Yuhas, on August 26, 1926 and spent her formative years in Streator. She married James Kenneth O’Brien in 1946 in Davenport, Iowa.  Virginia spent the next twenty-three years crisscrossing the country as she relocated her family to Indiana, California, New York, Minnesota, and New Jersey following her husband’s career with Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Company. Virginia and Ken returned to Streator in 1969 where she lived until her death.
Virginia was a life-long member of the Lutheran church and a confirmed member of Holy Trinity in Streator, Illinois. Mom’s volunteer activities included the Mary Martha Society, twenty year president of the Alter Society, and Ladies Aid Society at Holy Trinity.  Community service included serving as leader of her children’s scout troops, St Mary’s aquatic swim leader for twelve years, twenty year member of the hospital auxiliary, and YMCA Adult Daycare instructor. She and her husband were avid golfers spending many enjoyable hours at the Streator Country Club. Mom loved to travel and enjoyed her visits to Puerto Rico, Czechoslovakia, where she visited her relatives, the West and East coasts, and Hawaii.
Virginia’s surviving children include: Richard (Deborah) O’Brien of Sparta, NJ, Susan Moore (Raymond deceased) of Toms River, NJ, Kathleen (Ron) Tweedie of Margaretville, NY, Noreen O’Brien (Thomas) Davis of Springfield, IL, Michael (Tracy) O’Brien of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Eileen (Arion W.) Foote of Streator. Youngest daughter, Patricia, died in 2006, a sorrow that never went away. Also surviving are sisters Eleanor Casey of Maryland and Dorothy Waggener of Arizona. Two step-sons, David and Terrance O’Brien, also survive. Mom’s greatest legacy is the fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson, scattered across the country, who continue to instill in their families the strength, honesty, work ethic, and wry sense of humor, she imparted to her children.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Patty, grandson Daniel Patrick O’Brien, sister, Mary Crouch and brothers, David, Thomas, John, George, Andrew, and Edward Yuhas.
Her Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Streator, with Rev. John Gutz officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Streator.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator and for one hour prior to service Wednesday at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to her church.