- Date Of Birth: March 11, 1924
- Date Of Death: May 5, 2014
- State: Indiana
Virginia Ruth O’Brien, 90, of Elkhart, passed away Monday evening, May 5, in her home at Eastlake Terrace.
She was born on March 11, 1924, in Elkhart to Donald and Florence (Bailey) Hogendobler.
She married James Joseph O’Brien on Jan. 13, 1945, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He passed away on Nov. 2, 2003.
In addition to her husband, a son, Myles P. O’Brien; brothers Ellwood Hogendobler and James Hogan; half-brother Horace Hogendobler; and sibling infant twins preceded her in death.
Surviving are her sons, James D. O’Brien, Michael P. (Nancy) O’Brien and Kevin E. (Janet) O’Brien, all of Elkhart, and Timothy J. (Blanca) O’Brien of Hurst, Texas; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and her sister, Dorothy J. (James) Mullins of Elkhart.
Virginia was a 1943 graduate of Elkhart High School. She then went on to work as an inspector for Studebaker at the proving grounds (now called Bendix Woods) for the “M-29 Weasel” — a military vehicle the company was working on to be used in snow. It was there that her husband’s father, who also worked there, introduced her to her future husband, James.
Virginia was a loving homemaker. She also was a home and private duty nurse for many years. She helped during the Palm Sunday tornadoes.
She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She enjoyed making crafts, dolls and crocheting many afghans, which she shared with family and friends. She was always willing to try new things, loved people and enjoyed helping anyone she could.
