Donald O'Brien

You'll find to greater father,
And no greater friend.
Than Donald O'Brien,
New residence now, Heaven.

To his wife he was a Saint,
And her biggest supporter.
Loving and selfless,
They went everywhere together.

Many years of togetherness soon came,
A date request after her basketball game.
He started off as the cute bus driver,
Living his life as a true fighter.

The strong and silent type,
A good model for everyman to be like.
Tenderness filled this man's eyes,
His sweet spirit never disguised.

You didn't have to know him long,
To know his heart and where it belonged.
He treasured his family and cared about their needs.
He encouraged their gift and their dreams.

True to his word,
Never a raised voice heard.
Often soft spoken,
Ties that bind us unbroken.

A father of 3,
The start to his Legacy.
Grandchildren and great grandchildren,
To carry on together,
Remembering and honoring,
Both now and forever.

My Uncle Nate

A knock on the door,
A thud to the floor.
Your life forever changed,
Your priorities rearranged.

A brothers love for God,
And for his little brother.
Both were made better,
Because they had each other.

To lean on,
To lift up,
To learn from,
To never give up.

Your path changed to saving the lost.
A sacrifice you have made, at all cost.
Dedicating your life and time,
You've made a difference in so many lives,
Including mine.

You loved my father,
That was made very clear.
The days you spent by his side,
Always very near.

To lean on,
To lift up,
To learn from,
To never give up.

We are all blessed to have you,
Apart of our lives.
A piece of my father,
You cannot hide.

The same blue eyes that you share,
And just like my dad,
I know you'll always be there.

To lean on, when I'm feeling sad.
To lift me up in prayer, helping me remember life's not so bad.
To learn from, much guidance and wisdom you can give.
And to never give up, just like my dad always did.

Jack Dunneback

Born December 16, 1926,

The youngest of six children,

And soon to be his mothers young sidekick.

With blond hair and hazel eyes,

He was precious in his mother's eyes.

John Henry Dunneback or better known as Jack.

Led a life filled with love and strife,

But today has his wife back.

A love that started in high school,

Six kids following shortly after.

To fill his house,

With laughter and shouts,

Poor Aunt Nancy left as ringmaster.

All the kids new not to disobey.

The fear of the belt,

Only a few notches away.

Working hard to provide for a family of eight.

Making sure there was always food on their plate.

Salmon patties sometimes hard to get down.

Unless your Aunt Renea',

In the toilet it would go down.

Getting up to 2am,

Which child would be picked to help dad again?

Down to the fruit market,

Helping keep dad awake.

Maybe not so fun at the time,

But a moment that would be nice to re-create.

Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,

Lela was the apple of his eye.

Married November 15, 1947,

Reunited September 13th,

Now up in Heaven.

57 years wearing matching clothes.

He knew how to make his wife happy.

What she says goes.

Hawaii, Ireland, Mexico,

Were some beautiful places they got to go.

Apples were his favorite,

To eat or give away.

To neighbors or to nurses,

Who delivered his children that day.

Chest high in Myers lake,

Beautiful images, let your eyes create.

Playing in the water, kids splashing all around.

Jumping off his shoulders with one leap and bound.

The air filled with giggles and laughter,

The best father there was, from now and forever after.

Jack was a special man.

Always fun to have around.

With a sense of humor and making jokes,

A good time with him could be found.

Our Grandpa, father, and friend,

Will be missed until we meet again.

But in the mean time don't let life's struggles or distractions,

Keep you from being God's man or woman.

Live your life for the Lord and share his love like a chain reaction.

Hold onto the hope Salvation brings,

Because someday we'll receive a life with no more sadness or suffering.

Easier said than done, but know this battle has been won.

Pain will fill our Earthly days,

But our time in Heaven always stays.

Filled with the presence of God himself,

Everyday is a blessing, remind yourself.

Written with love and hope,

~Holly O'Brien

S

Forever Loved, Forever Missed

If dad were to look back on his life,

He'd want everyone to see,

That he loved his family and our God most importantly.

None of us saw this coming,

And we don't understand why.

Such an amazing man who loved the Lord,

Was chosen that day to die.

Of all the men in this world, he deserved the best it could offer.

His dream of owning a boat, was that to much to ask for?

A few more mornings to snuggle with his wife,

A few more motorcycles rides with his son, doesn't that sound right?

But maybe the reward dad deserved was more than this world could offer.

And maybe the best gift you could give was for him to meet his creator and his master.

For he loved you God and lived everyday for you.

He taught us kids to worship you and love you too.

And in sadness I may cry out and ask why.

But I know inside on you I can still rely.

To comfort me when my heart is broken.

To hold me with waiting arms wide open.

To make me feel special just like my dad always did.

He reminded me I was beautiful, ever since I was a kid.

Dad told us to not let our lives be consumed with distraction,

From living your purpose and living life using good discretion.

So I will heed to those words,

And hold them close to my heart.

Thinking of you dad before every decision,

Even though we are apart.

Thank you God for sending your son to die for us,So we may have Eternal Life.

I can picture dad waiting at your gates with a smile so bright.

To know I will see dad again, is a precious sight.

That look of pride he gave us kids every time we were around,

Will be spread across his face,

As I run through those pearly gates.

To praise my God and join my dad and say that, "God is Great!"

Little Brother

Little brother your sweet.
You made our family complete.
A surprise from the start,
You quickly filled my heart.

Watching you learn how to clap your hands,
And take your very first step.
To playing football and riding dirt bikes,
Live your life with no regrets.

A sweet spirit you have,
Especially when I've been sad.
Cards made to help encourage.
Your life filled with courage.

Uncertainties you've faced
at a young age.
Strength found in each step,
Throughout these days.

Oh, little brother,
Why'd you grow up so fast?
Where's the cheesy smiles,
So often seen in the past?

I guess it's time to accept,
That your getting older.
Especially now that you like,
To throw me over you shoulder.

You are strong and handsome,
And a world of opportunity awaits you.
Keep your goals straight,
And God in the right place,
And he will help you get through.

Brothers

God created brothers,
Little bundles of adventure.

Picking up worms,
And anything that squirms.
What new creature will they capture?

Made with no fear,
Band aids always near.
Scrapes on their knees,
Climbing up trees.

Nothing seems to slow them down.
Always fun to have around.
Giggles and laughter fill the air,
Precious watching them learn to share.

Learning prayers,
And singing songs at night.
Touches a mothers heart,
And makes the Angels smile bright.

Protectors of their mother,
And also of each other.
Always wanting to play outside.
Maybe on their slip-n-slide.

Brothers as you grow,
Make sure you always know.
Your brother will be your best friend.
Friends for life until the end.

Happy Father's Day

Dad your always there for me,
When I'm happy or am sad.
You celebrate the good times,
And help take away the bad.

In your eyes I am more special,
Than all that money could buy.
You tell me I'm a princess,
And on you I can rely.

No one could replace you,
Or come close to filling your shoes.
You taught me how to ride a bike,
And said good judgement I should use.

Even as I get older,
A special man in my life you will be.
Never forgetting all the times,
I sat upon your knee.

Love you dad

Your Best Friend

He was there from the start,

And he'll be there until the end.

Forever your father,

Forever your best friend.

You are his little men,

His partners in crime.

From learning to throw a ball,

To shaking your behind.

With him you love to laugh and play.

Picking on Mama throughout the day.

Rides on his chopper almost every night,

You never get scared, you gleam with delight.

His pride and joy,

His young men.

He'll teach you how to ride a bike,

And on whom you can depend.

So as you get older always know,

Your father helped take care of you,

Your father watched you grow.

If help is ever needed,

He will be by your side.

To help pick you up,

Or give you a ride.

Know your father always loves you,

And wants to see you through.

Just like our God above,

Your dad will never forsake you.

My Mother

A surprise from the start,

Two twins to steal your heart.

God put us in the best hands he could see.

A mother with so much love and generosity.

Dinner by the pool,

Our rooms always clean.

Never do I remember you ever being mean.

Often taken for granted for all that you did.

I now realize since I'm no longer a kid.

All you did was always for someone else.

Housekeeper to our home,

Chef for our meals,

Chauffer until we were grown,

All a real good deal.

Sympathy for a teenage broken heart,

Silly now to me.

But at the time your compassion was so needed,

And a life long memory.

A letter written to help remind me,

That once I was there for you,

And now you were here for me.

Life brought many ups and downs,

And now I'm glad to say.

That with your unselfish love,

Better times are here to stay.

You've cared for all my needs,

And done the best you could do.

And I would like to take a moment,

To kindly congratulate you.

On being the best Mom and Grandma,

A family could ever hope for.

We can't thank you enough.

We love you and adore.

I'm sad to say a mother's duties really never end.

I will forever need you and call you my best friend.

With Love,

Holly Elizabeth

My Dad

A love so deep, a heart so big,

The needs of others, always within.

You work so hard never thinking of yourself.

Others needs to be met, living life with no regret.

Loving God through the ups and downs.

A true testimony to my life. This is a God I want around!

A warm house to live with food on the table.

Young daughter on your lap, with horses in the stable.

Falling off and being told to get back on,
A highschool diploma handed to me by a hand so strong.

A motorcycle ride to ease my aching heart.

Time spent with your daughter, keeping her from falling apart.

The support you gave and the love you expressed,

Made me feel like your little princess.

The bar set high for the next man to be.

With your prayers for my mate, God has sent him to me.

A job well done, I'm proud to say.

That you were my hero all the way!

A love for a wife, the spit fire that she is.

A love for us kids, giving us all you had to give.

And a love for God, the most important of all.

Because with him in time, his love will cover us all.

With love,

Holly Beth

Papa's Love

Unlimited rides on the tractor,

He'll always let you go faster.

Sometimes I get to steer,

So you'de better keep clear.

He plays with me in the pool,

And that is always cool.

He makes sure that I am safe,

My life jacket put in place.

Yep, he's the best you can get.

Milk, cookies, and chips,

anytime I like.

Playing in the driveway,

On my hotwheels or bike.

Papa loves me a ton,

That I know!

Rides on the sled,

Falling in the snow.

Yep, he's the best you can get.

He holds me when i'm tired,

And stayed close when I was sick.

He helps make me feel better,

And I hope he likes this letter.

You Are Not Alone

You are not alone in the grief that you bare.

Jesus feels yor pain and knows you're there.

He's got your little brother,

Safe at his side.

Hoping you know,

That you are not alone,

And on whom you can rely.

Precious memories tucked safe inside.

The games you'd play and where you use to hide.

Hard to reminisce right now,

But with time you will see,

Perfect childhood memories of your brother,

Will bring you smiles and glee.

A legacy you've created,

A son who can bring honor to your name,

And grandchildren who love you,

And are proud of you just the same.

Without you we wouldn't be.

Because of you, I was given the perfect family.

So please stay strong,

And keep looking up.

Our God and your family love you,

And know that times are tough.

Life is not all about the ending,

But the life that we have lived.

Honoring the one who made us,

And giving all we have to give.

"I love you Grandpa"

Life's Journey

Life's journey began April 1937.

Patricia Louise Murphy,

A small gift from Heaven.

She embraced the world, ready to live life.
Filled with fun and adventure,

Her smile so Bright.

At two years old there were none as sweet,

As that dimpled curly haired cutie.

A special little girl,

She was definatly a beauty.

With the locks and looks of a young Shirley Temple,

She grew up with a face all her children would resemble.

Climbing in mailboxes and to the tops of trees,

A life of transition, she could do anything.

She loved bowling, swimming, and trips to campgrounds.

Time with Fay and Harley, on their porch she could be found.

Roots dug deep in family,

Always important to see.

With wings to soar over mountians,

Life filled with all sorts of possibility.

Encouraging her children to do just the same.

You finish what you start and in it much to gain.

Raising five children each one special with big and kind hearts.
A blessing to this world and lives i'm so proud to be apart.

Her home filled with books, decorating, and National Geographic's,

With a few stray cats to add to the mix.

Door held wide open with hugs and kisses to meet her guests.

Grateful for every visit, friends and family were the best.

She will be missed by all her friends and family.

But we can be happy in knowing a young son she will see.

A family slowly reunited because of a faith they had in Christ.

Forever together, thanks to Eternal life.

Life's Journey ending in 2008,

To be replaced with happiness only God can create.

~You will be forever missed

One Special Lady

Esther is a name that will always represent to me,

A loving Grandma who loves God and her family.

She raised four kids and kept up her home,

Took her children to church until they were grown.

She helped witness to my dad and also my uncle.

A woman of God with a faith that wouldn't crumble.

Because of her I have two Godly parents,

Who showed me the way, the way not to perish.

I was given a life filled with hope because of a choice you made.

You accepted Gods son and were baptized one day.

Beside the crick, with your sisters in toe,

God working in your life even then, as your faith did soon grow.

Life lessons learned and heartache no one should have to bear.

A twin sister lost, this truly was not fair!

But I thank God for your choice to stay on the right road,

Because someday we'll all get a chance to see Doris's new home.

You've been a great example of what every lady should be,

Sweet spirited and kind, filled with integrity.

Opening up your home whenever we're around.

Hospitality and a warm meal can always be found.

Having a servants heart,

You're a life I am so proud ot be apart.

"I love you Grandma"