Betty Jane (Siegert) O'Brien Obituary (1920 - 2014)

Betty Jane (Siegert) O'Brien, 93, of Pana, died Monday, October 6, 2014 in her residence. She was born October 22, 1920 in Pana, the daughter of Frank Joseph Amelia Dahler Siegert, deceased. Betty was a graduate of Pana Township High School and attended Eastern Illinois University. She lived her entire life in Pana, and was a homemaker. In her early years she worked at Penwell's in the ladies ready-to-wear department, and at the Illiopolis Ammunition plant. Betty, along with her husband, owned operated Pat O'Brien's Phillips 66 Distributorship. She was very active in St. John's United Church of Christ, which is now United in Faith Church, Pana. While a member of St. John's UCC, she served on the board, was the secretary/treasurer, Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, and member of the Women's Circle of the church. Betty was very active in the community. She was a volunteer for blood drives; member of the Fortnightly Club, Business of Professional Women, Pana Music Boosters, PTA, Council for the Arts, Pana Community Hospital Auxiliary, where she worked in the gift shop, and served on the board of Carnegie-Schuyler Library. Betty loved flower gardening, her music, baking, sewing, playing cards, exercising, and rearranging her furniture. She loved to watch football baseball, especially the Cardinals. Betty enjoyed her cats kittens, and her art, especially painting. She loved her family very much. Betty Siegert and Eudell "Pat" O'Brien were married in January 1942, and he preceded her in death. She is survived by her children: Mike O'Brien, Bloomington, IL; Linda (David) Johnson, Lowell, IN; Rebecca (Mike) Zucco, Decatur, IL; and Jane Ann (Brian) Kinney, Vandalia, IL; 13 grandchildren: Rob O'Brien, Jamie O'Brien, Chris O'Brien; Danielle Lewis; Nicole Martin, Dana Johnson, Marc Zucco, Sara Zucco-Goode, Matt Zucco, Katie Faber, Walt Kinney, Meg Daley, Will Kinney; and 8 great grandchildren. She was also preceded by her brothers: Herb Siegert on September 26, 2008 and Wayne Siegert on March 31, 2014. Funeral Information Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Marilyn Rauch officiating. Friends may call on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Private inurnment will be held at a later date.