Lawrence W. “ L a r r y ” O’Brien, 83, formerly of 925W 500S, Cutler, died at 1:10 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2006, at St. E l i z a b e t h M e d i c a Center in Lafayette. He had been a patient there for one day and had been a resident at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Delphi since September of 2005.

Born in Medaryville on Oct. 28, 1922, he was the son of Joseph and Verna Roth O’Brien. He was a 1942 graduate of West Point High School, and received his associate degree in liberal arts from the University of Maryland.

His marriage was to Lola E. Van Pelt in Riverside, Calif., on Dec. 10, 1947, and she survives.

Mr. O’Brien owned and operated Lawrence & Associates from 1967 to 1985, specializing in industrial recruiting. He farmed in Democrat Township, Carroll County.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, then the U.S. Air Force, serving for 25 years, retiring as a major. A retired U.S. Air Force Command pilot/officer, with over 9,000 hours of flying, he spent most of his career in the Air Rescue Service, flying the SA-16 seaplanes. He served in World War II, Japan, Korea, North Africa, and many U.S. bases.

During World War II, he flew the B-17A bomber. His air force commendations are American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army with Occupation Medal in Pacific and European Theaters, National Defense with Campaign Star, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Air Medal.

Mr. O’Brien was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Delphi, Delphi American Legion Post #75, honorary member of Indianapolis American Legion, Carroll County Country Club of Delphi and the Angel Hill Country Club of Rossville, where he enjoyed playing golf.

He enjoyed mechanics, working on his farm tractors, fishing, and raising purebred Labradors.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Kellye Lewis (husband: Milton) of Lafayette and Keyia A. Pearson of Ockley; a son, Peter L. O’Brien of Lafayette; two brothers, Joseph O’Brien (wife: Wilma) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Frank O’Brien (wife: Diane) of Winter Park, Fla.; eight sisters, Esther Duncan of Veedersburg, Margaret “Peggy” Lohr of Calif., Cecelia Albreght (husband: Dick) of Racine, Wis., Mary Taylor (husband: James) of Lafayette, Jeanette Lear of Torrance, Calif., Nellie Dawson (husband: John) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Patricia Nelson (husband: David) of Coos Bay, Ore., and Evelyn Jankovic of West Palm Garden, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

Services were Saturday in Delphi. Burial, with full military rites by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, was held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements were made by Abbott Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.