James Patrick O'Brien

James Patrick O’Brien, 83, of Marshalltown, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022, at Glenwood Place with his loving family at his side. To honor his and his family’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 21st at 10:30 a.m. at New Hope Christian Church. His family will hold a private burial at a later date in Winthrop, IA. The public is also invited to a visitation Thursday, January 20th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family for a later designation. For further information or to send Jim’s family a condolence, please visit mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Born on April 3, 1938 in Winthrop, Iowa, Jim was the son of Joseph and Dora (Granahan) O’Brien. He grew up in the area of his birth and attended the public schools. On August 22, 1959, he was united in marriage to Judith Martin at St. John Catholic Church in Independence. Jim began his working career at Donovan’s Meat Market in Dubuque and later as meat manager at Schares Food Market in Jesup. In 1974, they purchased the meat locker in Latimer and made Latimer their home. In 1984, Jim accepted a position as a meat specialist at Iowa State University meat lab before retiring in 2000. After retirement, Jim helped Judy operate her catering business until moving to Marshalltown in 2011. He continued to work part-time as a meat inspector for the State of Iowa until October, 2021. Jim was a member of New Hope Christian Church, the Lions Club and a volunteer firefighter at the Latimer Fire Department. Those left to cherish his memory is his wife of 62 years, Judy; his children: Julie (Greg) Stoll, Jill (Tom) Severson, Joe (Jackie) O’Brien and Jennifer (Kenny) DeVries; twelve grandchildren; Emily, Andre and Macaiah Stoll, Brock Severson, Nicole (Brian) Benson, Amanda (Kirk) Dougherty, Luke Severson, Leigha (Tadd) Jones, Jordan (Michelle) O’Brien, Kyle (Megan) O’Brien Justin (Rachel DeVries and Jacob DeVries; nine great grandchildren with a great grandson on the way and brother, John O’Brien. In eternal life, Jim has been reunited with his parents; three sisters: Margaret Ann, in infancy, Mary Jo Ryan and Betty Shird; and his beloved dog, Sadie.