Charlie O'Brien, age 85 of Shawano, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021.  He was born on November 11, 1935 to Edward and Martha O'Brien in Shawano.  While he was a boy he enjoyed playing sports and spending time on the farm.  He cherished time helping his uncle Walter and aunt Sophie with their cheese factory. Charlie attended St. James and graduated from Shawano High School.  During high school he excelled at sports.  He went to Valparaiso University in Indiana on an athletic scholarship.  While there, he played football and shared a dorm room with Packer great, Fuzzy Thurston. After college, Charlie was drafted by the Detroit Lions and played one season before returning to Wisconsin to begin his career as a History teacher and coach. After a couple different teaching jobs, he took a position at Green Bay Prebble High School.  This brought him back home to Shawano.

At one point he purchased a farm and raised Welsh and Shetland Ponies, of which he was very fond of. During this time, he began to become more involved with the county fair. Charlie eventually took on the role of Fair Secretary. He took pride in this position and worked to give his community a strong and entertaining fair, year after year. However, his greatest passions came later in life.  He married the love of his life, Cleida "CJ" Eggert, on April 25, 1976 in Shawano. He helped her raise their two daughters, Lisa and Lori. In 1989 Charlie and CJ adopted their son Jeff and began the daunting task of raising a wild child in their 50's.

Charlie was involved with several non-profit organizations. He took on the role of President for the Wisconsin Deer Hunters Woodland Chapter and served on the board of directors for the Navarino Nature Center. In the 90's he began appearing on WTCH during the Christmas season with his radio program "Charlie O'Brien's Old-Fashioned Christmas". He enjoyed sharing his love of the season and his knowledge of the history associated with it.  The community support was always something that he cherished.  His favorite part of life was the people he met and helping others as best he could.

Charlie is survived by; his beloved wife, CJ; his daughters Lori and Lisa; son, Jeff; his grandchildren; and cousin, Rodger Piehl.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, as well as his cousin, Arthur Piehl, whose friendship he cherished greatly.

Burial for Charlie will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10 am, located across from the Chapel. After burial, a memorial service will be held at noon at St. James Retreat in the Moose Yard.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  ~ Psalm 23:4