Larry O'Brien

PERRYSBURG -- Larry E. O'Brien, of Perrysburg, and formerly of Pemberville, Ohio passed away on October 30, 2025 at Wood Haven Health Care in Bowling Green, OH.

Larry was born in Fostoria, OH on November 16, 1944 to Thomas and Eliza (Gunder) O'Brien.

Larry was the custodian at Conneaut Elementary School in Bowling Green retiring in 2002. Larry loved all kids, and the students and staff recognized him as a gentle giant because of his height-6 feet 5 inches. Many days he would be seen on his lunch hour playing kickball and basketball with the kids. He would even be seen on the school roof retrieving a ball that was "accidentally" kicked up there. Larry enjoyed cheering for his alma mater, Eastwood High School, where he graduated in 1963.

He was also a huge BGSU Falcons fan and loved WWE wrestling. Larry's hobbies included playing Tiger Woods golf on his PS4, being involved in his bowling league, playing Putt Putt golf, and fishing (where he loved to catch and give the catch away).

At family reunions and Vacation Bible School, Larry would always play Red Light, Green Light or Simon Says with the kids. He was a "big kid at heart." Larry was a devoted Christian, not ashamed to tell anyone about his faith. Many Sundays, you would witness him raising his arm praising the Lord when a special song was sung. Later, when Larry was living with dementia, almost every Sunday as the church service ended, he would raise his hand and tell the congregation, "Believe, trust and obey, for there's no other way. Hallelujah! Our God is awesome."

Larry married Glenda Poling on June 27, 1975. They celebrated 50 years of marriage this past June.

Larry is survived by his wife, Glenda; their two sons, Tom (Mandy) O'Brien and Kyle (Kristen) O'Brien; three grandchildren, Emily, AJ, and Carson O'Brien; brothers-in-law, Randy and David Poling and George (Sonny) Rife; sisters-in-law, Carol McMackin, Merri (Bob) Keefe, Sue Poling Vermilyea, and Pam Poling; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he truly loved.He was preceded in death by his parents; his half-brother, Herb Hathaway and half-sister, Betty; his in-laws, Glen Sr. and Irene Poling; his brother-in-law, Glen Poling Jr.; his sister-in-law, Sandy Rife; and his niece, Stacy Rife.

Family and friends will be received 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Marsh & Marsteller Funeral Home, 4094 State Route 105 Pemberville. Funeral Services will be at the funeral home at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2025. There will be additional visitation at 10 a.m., until the service begins. Officiating will be, Pr. Dan Horner. Interment will be in Eisenhour Cemetery, Pemberville.

The O'Brien family would like to thank all the staff members and the therapy department at Wood Haven Health Care for their care and kindness toward Larry and our family during this time.

Memorials may be made in Larry's memory to the Village View Church of Christ in Bowling Green, OH. Those wishing to express a word of encouragement may share a memory or photo at www.marshfuneralhomes.com.