8-24-2022 8:38pm

Michael O’Brien: the Good Wood guy in Rockton

Michael McGinnis Editor

Michael Guy O’Brien, 49, was the proud owner/ operator of Good Wood in Rockton and the firewood supplier for many people. He grew up in Roscoe but eventually moved into Rockton, where he worked various jobs with friends, including tree removal and cutting wood.

Mikey went to his eternal home on Friday, August 19, 2022, amidst a powerful thunderstorm, more than a year after being injured in an accident after which he was not expected to survive.

Mikey was born on November 6, 1972, in Rockford, Illinois, the second son of Patrick and Linda (McCubbin) O’Brien. He loved playing sports when he was younger - he had incredible athleticism. He was brave and fearless, which often led to him getting into mischief. Mikey was a resilient man who faced many obstacles in life but managed to overcome them.

When he was seven, Mikey endured a head injury and had to wear a helmet for a while. Then on October 18, 1997, at age 24, he was in a motorcycle accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury while thankfully wearing a helmet. After several months, he prevailed over the doctors' prognosis and was able to come home. Then on April 18, 2021, at age 48, Mikey was in another accident. While he did once again prevail over the doctors' prognosis, this time he was unable to come home. He kept hope alive, as did we all, but he was called to his heavenly home first. Special thank you to those who would still visit with Mikey, even though it was not easy.

Hardworking and strong, Mikey was recognized all over - a well-known face in the community. He was thoughtful, loving, and generous, often giving people gifts for no particular reason. Or just offering them some candy or chocolates - Mikey definitely had a sweet tooth! He took pleasure in the simplicities of life.

Mikey is loved and missed by his mother, Linda O’Brien; his siblings Patrick (Paige) O’Brien, Nathan (Amanda) O’Brien, Elizabeth O’Brien, Daniel (Amanda Wimmer) O’Brien, and Merrie (Brandon Boyd) O’Brien; twelve nieces and nephews: Hailey O’Brien, Maggie O’Brien, Abaigeal O’Brien, Brianna O’Brien, Charlie O’Brien-Schenk, Sammie O’Brien-Schenk, Louisa O’Brien-Schenk, Kastin Henry, Benjamin O’Brien, Danny O’Brien, Emmalynne Daily, and Riolynne O’Brien; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; step-grandmother, Janice McCubbin; and countless friends. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Mikey is preceded in death by his father Patrick O’Brien; maternal grandparents Guy and Eunice McCubbin; paternal grandparents Edward and Lois O’Brien; and infant brother Benjamin David O’Brien.

Visitation will be held from 1 - 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, 7404 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Illinois, with a service to follow at 3 p.m. officiated by Pastors Megan Vaughan and Dan Herman. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions in Mikey’s honor can be made in care of the family to help with funeral expenses.