Kenneth James “Ken” O'Brien III
July 31st, 1948 - January 9th, 2026
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Ken's Obituary
Kenneth James O'Brien III of Bridgman, MI., passed away at home on January 9th after a long battle with lung cancer.
Ken was born on July 31, 1948, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to Lillian (Dickinson) O'Brien and Kenneth James O'Brien Jr.
He married Kay Schmidt on September 5th 1970. They have two sons Kenneth James O'Brien IV and Grady Michael O'Brien.
He is survived by his life partner Kay, his sons Ken and Grady.
His siblings, Colleen Ziemba, Timothy O'Brien, Kathleen Woods, Eileen Pallas, Mavoureen O'Brien, Partrick (Barb) O'Brien, Bridget (Bill) Marifjeren,
Sean (Toni) O'Brien, Lillian O'Brien, Noreen (Richard Beerman) Payne.
Kenneth was also preceeded in death by a sister Maureen O'Brien, Bother-n-laws Ron Pallas and Daniel Schmidt
Ken owned and operated O'Brien's Pinewood Lodge in Bridgman, MI. He mined for opals at the Royal Peacock Opal mine in Nevada.
He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers.
A celebration of life will be held at the Weko Beach House in Bridgman, MI on Saturday March 21, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00.
Ken was born on July 31, 1948, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to Lillian (Dickinson) O'Brien and Kenneth James O'Brien Jr.
He married Kay Schmidt on September 5th 1970. They have two sons Kenneth James O'Brien IV and Grady Michael O'Brien.
He is survived by his life partner Kay, his sons Ken and Grady.
His siblings, Colleen Ziemba, Timothy O'Brien, Kathleen Woods, Eileen Pallas, Mavoureen O'Brien, Partrick (Barb) O'Brien, Bridget (Bill) Marifjeren,
Sean (Toni) O'Brien, Lillian O'Brien, Noreen (Richard Beerman) Payne.
Kenneth was also preceeded in death by a sister Maureen O'Brien, Bother-n-laws Ron Pallas and Daniel Schmidt
Ken owned and operated O'Brien's Pinewood Lodge in Bridgman, MI. He mined for opals at the Royal Peacock Opal mine in Nevada.
He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers.
A celebration of life will be held at the Weko Beach House in Bridgman, MI on Saturday March 21, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00.
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