John J. O'Brien III, age 87, a resident of Wheaton, Illinois, formerly of Omaha Nebraska, Barrington and Elmhurst, Illinois, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 surrounded by family.

John and his wife Genevieve were married for 61 wonderful years. He is survived by Genevieve and three loving daughters: Janine (Michael) Bridges, Jeanne (James) Poe, and Janice (Robert) Coopman; devoted grandchildren Brandon (Michelle) Bridges, Shannon (Izaak) Neveln, Sarah and Rachel Poe, and Michael and Steven Coopman.

A graduate of Farragut High School and the Chicago Illinois Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering, John supervised containerization testing and later worked in sales in railway supply as Assistant Vice President of Sales for Brenco of Virginia, and as President of Mountain Region Supply Company in Omaha. He enjoyed woodworking, including transforming discarded test furniture into new pieces for his daughters. He was in a 1960s PBS documentary "Science Rides the High Iron," depicting atomic trains, central tracking control systems, and switching. He took pleasure in activities involving trains.

A devoted husband and father, John enjoyed traveling with his family to the Western United States, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Mexico and Europe. The past year, he and Gen twice took the Texas Eagle train to Texas to visit his youngest daughter and her family. Most of all, John loved his family.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois 60187 from 6-8pm on Friday, August 3, and from 10-11am on Saturday, August 4. Interment will follow at Assumption cemetery in Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.