William James O'Hare

William J O'Hare, age 89, of Amboy, died Thursday March 12, 2015, surrounded by his daughters at Heritage Health Care in Mendota. He was born October 2, 1925 in Amboy the son of Patrick Henry and Mary (McGlynn) O'Hare. He was united in marriage to Sophie M Rajnowski at St. Andrew's Church in Rock Falls December 2, 1950, being the first couple married there. She preceded him in death August 1, 2006. He had been a diesel mechanic at Naylor's John Deere Dealership in Rock Falls for 17 years and at W.G. Leffelman and Sons in Amboy for 23 years prior to retirement. Bill was known by many as a very skilled tractor mechanic in the Lee County area. His passion in life was the repair and restoration of antique tractors as well as driving them in area parades. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy, Living History Antique Equipment Association, the 2 Cylinder Club, the Swingin Starrs Square Dance Club and attended Golden Meals in Amboy. He enjoyed participating in the Lee County 4-H Fair tractor pulls for many years. His last proud achievement in life came in March 2014 when he was named the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dixon. Bill was extremely proud of his "Irish Roots" that extend to the counties of Louth and Cork in Ireland. His family came into the U.S. through New Orleans in 1846 during the height of the Irish Potato Famine. He was also preceded in death by sisters Dorothy Hobart, Theresa Delhotal, Edna O'Hare, Mary Irene Kivisto, brothers Paul, Edward and Henry O'Hare He is survived by 6 daughters Carol (Patrick) Gorman of Grand Detour, Cynthia O'Hare of Newport News VA, Cheryl O'Hare of Dixon, Connie (Bill) Bontz of Amboy, Dr. Colleen (Douglas) Klein of West Brooklyn, Carrie (Lt. Col. Jeffrey) O'Sadnick of Sublette stationed in Wiesbaden Germany; 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sisters Rose Covert of Rockwell Texas, Marguerite "Peggy" Hoyt of DeKalb and brothers Donald O'Hare of Orland Park and Patrick O'Hare of Texas. Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 19, 2015, beginning with a 10:00 AM prayer service in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy followed by an 10:30 Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Bales officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Amboy. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 18, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM with the Rosary at 7:30 PM in the funeral home. Memorials has been established to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Living History Antique Equipment Association.

William James O'Hare

October 2, 1925 - March 12, 2015