THOMAS R. O'REILLY

Mar. 1, 1930 - April 29, 2009
GRANGER - Thomas Robert "Bob" O'Reilly, 79, of Granger, IN died at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2009 in Memorial Hospital following an illness. Mr. O'Reilly was born March 1, 1930 in Mishawaka, IN, to the late Frank and Ann (Lillis) O'Reilly and lived in the Michiana area most of his life.

He was the very devoted husband of Betty Jo (Linn) whom he married on February 7, 1959 at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, South Bend. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2008. He was the loving father of Kevin (Jane) O'Reilly of South Bend, Patrick (Kelli) O'Reilly of Yorkville, IL, and Patrick's twin Michele A. O"Reilly who preceded him in death in 2005; and was the beloved grandfather to Brenden O'Reilly of W. Des Moines, IA.

A sister, Mary O'Reilly Morgan and two brothers, Bernard and James O'Reilly also preceded him in death.

As a young boy, Mr. O'Reilly was an Altar Boy at the Cathedral of St. Matthew. As an adult he became a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and was committed to his faith.

He graduated from John Adams High School. After high school he went into the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Korea. During the war he worked as a civil engineer, was wounded, and received the honor of being awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Mr. O'Reilly continued his education at Purdue University when he was discharged from the Navy. Upon completion of college, he earned his bachelors degree in engineering in 1957, and was employed as an aerospace engineer at Bendix Corp. He was transferred to Los Angeles, CA, and then back to South Bend where he retired after working at Bendix Corp for 35 years.

He enjoyed playing the piano, listening to jazz, golfing, and was an avid Notre Dame Football fan where he held tickets at the 50 yard line for many years. He will be tremendously missed by all of his loving family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2nd in St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, with Rev. William Schooler officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, beside his loving wife Betty Jo. Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. today, May 1st in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, where a vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be held in the church on Saturday one hour prior to the mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.