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Chester James O'Brien
Born: 9/20/1941
Died: 3/22/2026
Age: 84
Community: Durand, MI
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Chester James O’Brien, 84 of Durand, passed away with his daughters by his side on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Durand Senior Care. A funeral service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, March 27th, 2026, at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, 501 N. Saginaw St. Durand, MI 48429. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM until the time of service. Internment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, in Gaines.
Chester “Jim” was born on September 20th, 1941, the son of Thomas Henry O’Brien and Clara Blanche Nimphie of Durand, Michigan. He graduated from Durand Area High School in 1960 and married Cheryl Lee Morse on September 3, 1966, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand. Jim is survived by his daughters Sheila (Steven) Darling, and Karen (Dana) Morrison, grandchildren, Daniel (Cierra Lowery) Morrison, Vince (Grace Antolos) Morrison, Christopher Darling, and Matthew Darling, great grandchildren Xavier S. Peterson and Remmington Rose Morrison and sister-in-law Rosanna Kay Crane. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Cheryl, his parents Tom and Clara, and siblings Richard O’Brien, and Ruth Whitcomb.
The O’Briens were a farming family. Jim loved animals and participated in FFA in high school. He also played football and was a sprinter in track & field. Jim had a friendly competitive nature. He loved sports and all sorts of games. He also liked mischief, hanging out with his good buddies and classmates (who are still getting together frequently).
Jim was a carpenter and worked most of his career at Glaser’s Lumber Yard in Vernon, MI. He loved to build and excelled at it. He built the family home and would often take on building projects for others in the community. In their retirement Jim and Cheryl liked to stay busy by investing in real estate to fix up and rent or sell.
Many clubs and social groups in the community enjoyed his company. Jim was a member of the Durand School Board, a 4-H woodworking leader, an Indian Guides Chief, a Knights of Columbus member, a Locomotion’s Square Dance Club member and he loved to clown around with the Shai Ally Clown Club as “Nosey” the clown.
The family wishes to thank Heart to Heart Hospice and the staff at Durand Senior Care for the compassionate care and support they received. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Heart to Heart Hospice.
Online condolences, memories, and photos may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com |
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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3/27/2026 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
| The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM until the time of service. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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3/27/2026 |
| Time: |
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12:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Watkins Brothers Funeral Home - Durand Chapel
501 N. Saginaw St.
Durand, MI 48429Get a Map to this location...
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