Graveside funeral services for Mary O'Brien, 91, of Chariton, will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Chariton Cemetery. Following the graveside service everyone is welcome to attend a luncheon at the First United Methodist Church in Chariton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lucas County Fair Association or the Lucas County FFA.
Mary Louise was born July 2, 1935, in Chariton, Iowa, to Lloyd and Arneitus Holmes. She was raised near Chariton alongside her little brother Donald. She graduated from Chariton High School in 1953. In high school she worked as a babysitter and at the Ice Cream Shop. She had also worked at the newspaper, grocery store and as a bookkeeper for a local gas station.
On September 17, 1953, Mary was married to Charlie Chester in Russell, Iowa. After moving a time or two, the couple settled down and were later blessed with three children: Richard, Bruce, and Starla. She later married Dennis O’Brien and welcomed his daughters to the family. Her family was her greatest joy and was extremely proud of all her children and loved watching the family grow.
From a young age, Mary was passionate about caring and working with children. As a young girl, she loved to babysit the neighbor kids and later, spent 25 years remaining very active and passionate about her involvement with the Girl Scouts. Not to mention her involvement as a Den Mother with the boy scouts. Mary was also active in the First United Methodist Church; she volunteered wherever she could and belonged to the Martha Circle. She considered her church family a great blessing.
After Dennis passed away in 2009, Mary moved to Chariton. She enjoyed her home in Chariton and loved working in her yard, tending the flowers and watching the birds. She loved living just a few houses down from her niece; it was a nice little walk to have a visit. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and going for a drive through the countryside.
Mary passed away Saturday, July 11th surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed by her children: Rich (Jacque) Chester, Bruce (Kathleen) Chester, Starla (Rick Durr) Atwell, Kelly (Michael) O'Brien Schwartz, Dana O'Brien, Carrie (Brian) Thomas, and Jennifer (Daniel) Frye; 17 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren; along with many relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Lloyd and Arneitus Holmes; husband, Dennis O’Brien; brother, Donald Holmes; and grandson, Jarod Chester.
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