James J. O'Brien

James “Jim” O’Brien, 82, of Galesburg, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice in Peoria, Illinois.

Jim was born on June 24, 1943, in Fall River, Mass. He spent his early years living on the east coast. Soon after birth, his family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. He also lived in Webster City, Iowa, and Genoa, Wisconsin, before moving to Galesburg in 1952. He attended Corpus Christi High School until leaving early to enter the military. He served in the U.S. Army from 1960 through 1962, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was proud of his military service, which he served in Germany.

After returning to Galesburg, Jim met the woman who would be his wife, June Plym. They were married on June 1, 1968, at Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg. They were married for more than 52 years before her death in December 2020. He is survived by their children, Don (Stacey) O’Brien of Quincy, Illinois, and their sons, Derek and Reid; Jimmy (Becky) O’Brien of Galesburg, and their daughter, Nicole, and Margaret (Troy) Reagan of Quincy, Illinois, and their son, Caleb.

Jim is also survived by one sister, Pat Kidder, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim loved his family. He also loved cars. He spent countless hours in the garage tinkering with them. He loved the classics. Jim worked for 20 years at Gale Products in Galesburg and briefly worked at Illinois-Iowa Tool and Die before working in the MOP Shop at the Rock Island Arsenal where he retired in 2004.

Jim loved to give advice to his friends and family. His best piece of financial advice was to “pinch that nickel until the buffalo (poops) in your hand.”

After June’s passing, Jim found a new circle of friends at the “Oaks.” He loved the weekly luncheons that he went to on Tuesdays. He met some special friends there that helped him when he needed it the most – Lois Winkler, Jim Nolan, and John and Linda Daly. The family is especially thankful for the assistance that Jo Westbay-Placher provided to Jim late in his life.

He also was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Jim; a sister, Sheila Noonan, and two brothers-in-law, Jim Noonan and Ron Kidder.

Cremation is being accorded with Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory of Galesburg. Memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to the Older Americans of Knox County, OAKS, 176 North Farnham St., Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.