Kenneth O’Hara

Facebooktwittermail
 

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth A. O’Hara, 63, of Davenport, formerly of Dixon, Iowa, will be Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 4105 N. Division Street, Davenport.

Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., downtown Davenport. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Kenneth passed away on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 at the Davenport Lutheran Home.

Kenneth Alexander O’Hara was born Dec. 15, 1947 in Davenport, Iowa, a son of Harry and Camilla (Moeller) O’Hara. Ken attended St Joseph’s School and graduated from Assumption High School in 1966. He went to work at Oscar Mayer and enrolled at St Ambrose College in 1967. The path that Ken had chosen for his life was not to be. In July 1967, Kenneth fell asleep at the wheel of his car and suffered a severe brain injury. God had chosen a different path for Ken and carried him along the way.

Ken was a gentle man who touched lives wherever he went, with his smile, humor and overall pleasant personality. He did not differentiate people by skin color or disabilities. He was also a protector to those more vulnerable than himself. He was an avid Cubs fan.  This enthusiasm was inspired by his mother.

epay

In turn, the Dugan brothers and many others looked out for him after his accident. He was always treated with the best of care by the medical professionals for whom we are eternally grateful, especially Dr. Chin, Doris Tuftee, and the Genesis Rehab team. Their expertise and technology provided Ken the ability to have a better quality of life that enabled him to make his own choices during his final months. We are also grateful to Dr. Walczyk, Dr. Gimbel, Dr. D. Johnson, Dr. Rasmus, Dr. G. Harb, and other healthcare professionals involved with his care throughout the years.

When Ken required more assistance, after a long search, we were led to Community Care in Charlotte, IA. There we met Caryl Beck and all of the caring staff, who became his family over the 17 years he was able to live there.  During this time, we overcame a major roadblock with the help of Congressman Pat Deluhery’s legislation that also made a difference for many others in Ken’s situation. Ken always had an intense desire to work. The Handicapped Development Center in Davenport helped him to find a suitable job. After moving to Charlotte his case worker, Diane Smith Brown, made tireless efforts which finally enabled him to work at DAC in Maquoketa, where he found a purpose and enjoyed many friends there as well. When Ken required more care, he moved to the Davenport Lutheran Home, where he once again was surrounded by kind, loving people. The staff and directors provided Ken with the best of care plus laughter and joy, not to mention the late night pizza and popcorn parties. 

Memorials may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Iowa – the Quad City Chapter or to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Handicapped Development Center Project.

Ken is survived by his sisters and their spouses; Camilla and Ray Poston of Dixon, Iowa, Colleen and Jimmie Bryant of West Liberty, Iowa, Mary and Roger Simmons of Morris, Ill., and sister-in-law, Rose O’Hara of Cocoa, Fla.; nephews and nieces, Danny and Gary O’Hara, Pamela Conklin, Teri DeVine, Raymond and Thomas Poston, Robert Untiedt, Bonnie Stagg, Ellen Smith, Brenda Untiedt, Cynthia Puck, Patricia Weese, Kathy Ellis, and Scott, Joe, Keith and Sandra Simmons, and all of their children whom he enjoyed so much. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard O’Hara and nephews, Mark O’Hara and B.J.Untiedt. 

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Ken’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

 


Support The Catholic Messenger’s mission to inform, educate and inspire the faithful of the Diocese of Davenport – and beyond! Subscribe to the print and/or e-edition, or make a one-time donation, today!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebooktwittermail
Posted on