Obituary Record

Reed, Jr. "Bus" O'Hanlon
Died on 12/7/1961
Buried in Holy Cross (Catholic Church) Cemetery

This long obituary is taken from the collection in the Notebook of Long Obituaries. The original newspaper article can be found in the Blair Library, Genealogy Room.

Note: Holy Cross cemetery records and his tombstone list his name as Reed O'Hanlon, not William Reed O'Hanlon.

Published in The Enterprise, December 7, 1961

FORMER BLAIR PUBLISHER IS DEAD

REED O’Hanlon, JR., DIED THIS MORNING AT BATTLE CREEK

(picture)

Reed O’Hanlon, Jr., former Blair man and for many years Publisher of the Pilot-Tribune, died early this morning at a Battle Creek, Michigan, hospital. He had been in failing health for a number of months.

Mr. O’Hanlon was well-known to all Blair business men, having edited the newspaper here until 1958. He had been active in many civic affairs and had been a lifelong resident of the city.

He was currently associated with the Office of Civil Defense at Battle Creek, where he was in charge of the writing and editorial releases dealing with the nation’s Civil Defense efforts. He began his work there in February of 1958.

Mr. O’Hanlon’s interest in writing and newspaper work was apparent, even as a youth, for while in grade school he began the publication of a neighborhood paper called the “Athletic Herald.” It carried the neighborhood news of his friends and pals and grew in circulation to as many as 300 subscribers.

He went into newspaper as a livelihood in 1931 with the late Thomas T. Osterman and Alfred O. Sick in the publishing of the Pilot-Tribune. Later, upon the death of Mr. Osterman, a partnership was formed between Mr. O’Hanlon and Mr. Sick and they continued the operation of the newspaper. In 1938 when Mr. Sick became Blair Postmaster, Mr. O’Hanlon became publisher.

He continued with the newspaper until it was merged with The Enterprise in January 1958.

Mr. O’Hanlon filled a number of civic posts while in business here. He was at one time Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce; Commander of the Hain-Flynn Post of the American Legion; Chairman of the Washington County Red Cross Chapter; Chapter Chairman of the Infantile Paralysis drive, and the Salvation Army Fundraising drive. He was also a past President of the Northeast Nebraska Press Association and was at one time a Director of the Nebraska Press Association.

He was recognized throughout the state as a writer of considerable ability.

He was married to Blanche Haller on Nov. 27, 1938. To this union, eight children were born, two of whom preceded their father in death. He is survived by his wife, Blanche, and six children: Mrs. Ronald Sorensen (Kathleen), Patricia, Michael, Thomas, Ruth K. and Kevin, and by one grandchild.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reed O’Hanlon, Sr., and a brother, Clark O’Hanlon of Blair, and another brother, Robert of La Grange, Illinois, and a sister, Mrs. William Samson (Ruth Ann) of Missouri Valley, also survive.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 A.M. at St. Borgia Catholic Church with Father Patrick Nolan conducting the services. He will be assisted by Father Edward O’Donnell, now of Fremont, who was formerly associated with the Blair Church. Burial will be made in Holy Cross cemetery at Blair. The Campbell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rosary will be at 7:30 Sunday evening.

Pallbearers at the funeral will be newspapermen with whom Reed was associated when an officer of the Nebraska Press Association. They will be Henry Trysia, publisher of the Dakota County Star, South Sioux City; William Lee, Administrative Assistant to Congressman Ralph Beerman; Verne Scofeld, Lincoln, Secretary of the Nebraska Press Association; Cal Stewart of the Lincoln, Nebraska Sun; Emil Reutzel of the Norfolk Daily News' and Jack Lough of the Albion News.

Printed in the Washington County Enterprise on 12/7/1961


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