Richard F. O'Brien, 85, of Butler died Thursday at the Valencia Woods Nursing Center.

Born Feb. 18, 1920, in Butler, he was the son of Merle J. and Hilda Smith O'Brien Sr.

He was a retired plumber and pipe fitter, having been an apprentice plumber at O'Brien's Plumbing. He also worked as a plumber and pipe fitter for McGraw Construction Company and John R. Ellison and Sons.

Mr. O'Brien was a certified instructor of journeymen and apprentices in the plumbing and pipe fitting industry from Purdue University.

He was a veteran of World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps, and was stationed in England for three years.

Mr. O'Brien was a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian.

He was a life member of the Elks Lodge of Butler, Local 47 of the United Association of Steamfitters, the Knights of Columbus and the B.A.D. 2 Association of the 8th Air Force.

Mr. O'Brien is survived by two stepdaughters, Mrs. Patricia Kripowicz of Silver Springs, Md., and Mrs. Gerard (Shari) Pease of Pittsburgh; a brother, Merle J. O'Brien, Jr. of Butler; a sister, Mrs. Janet Dillmore of Butler; six step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evadene Barber O'Brien, who died in August 2003; and a brother.

<B>O'BRIEN</B> — Friends of Richard F. O'Brien, who died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, will be received from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday from the St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, Meridian, with the Rev. James Murphy officiating. Burial will be at the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum at Butler County Memorial Park.