Anna Mae O'Brien

Age 98 of Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of Modesto, California and South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2026 in Wilmington.

Born August 14, 1928 in Milton, North Dakota, Anna Mae was a daughter of Nicholas and Leah (Leroux) Pfeffer. She was raised and educated in Milton, and on July 13, 1957 she married Jack O'Brien at the submarine base chapel of Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. Jack and Anna lived in many different areas throughout the United States during Jack's military career. After Jack's retirement of over 20 years in the United States Navy, Jack and Anna chose to live and raise their family in California for over 40 years until Jack's passing. She then moved back to South Milwaukee to be closer to her family.

She worked for the United States government as a secretary for the Tracy Defense Depot in Tracy, California for 15 years until her retirement. Anna was a proud Catholic who cherished her faith and relationship with God. When she wasn't working, she loved bowling and participated in women's bowling leagues for many years. Anna also took pleasure in reading and road trips, traveling across the country with her family and friends. Above all else, she devoted herself to being the best role model to her children, and later her grandchildren who were ever so precious to her.

Anna leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and compassion that will be lovingly remembered by all those she knew and loved.

Survivors include two daughters: Kathleen O'Brien, and her partner Margaret Leggett, of Stockton, California and Lisa (Donald, Jr.) Coffel of Wilmington; four grandchildren: Brandon (Rachael) Hileman of Bolingbrook, Illinois, Shanleigh (Billy) Ringman of El Mirage, Arizona, Jessica Coffel (fiancé: Ryan Fixer) of Darien, Illinois and Michelle Coffel (fiancé: Tony Sampugna) of Plainfield, Illinois; nine great grandchildren: Logan, Liam, Jackie, Patrick, Parker, Ryan, Jr., Aria, Lucas, and Jacob; one brother, Leonard Pfeffer of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and her devoted caregiver and friend, Sharice Gray.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Leah Pfeffer, and her husband, Jack O'Brien; one son, Kevin O'Brien, and seven brothers and sisters: Maxine, Kenneth, James, Louis, Eugene, Donna, and Barbara in infancy.

Per Anna's wishes, cremation rites are being accorded and memorial services will be at Assumption Catholic Church, 215 South Kankakee Street, in Coal City on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Joshua Miller and assisted by Deacon William Dunn.

In honor of Anna's love for road trips, her family will give her one last ride to California, where she will be laid to rest on December 28, 2026 at Riverside National Cemetery with her husband, Jack.

The family wishes to extend their deepest thanks to Lightways Hospice for their care and support during Anna's final days.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Anna's memorial page online through social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815/634-2125)