Robert Michael O’Hara, 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, in Topeka surrounded by his family.

He was born Oct., 21, 1941, in Parsons to James Patrick and Mary (O’Connor) O’Hara. He grew up in Parsons and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School. He served as an military policeman in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1962.

He married Catherine Smith on April 27, 1968, in St. Paul. The couple lived in Junction City, St. Marys and later in Topeka, sharing time in Washington, D.C. Mike worked for the Kansas Department of Labor for 35 years and retired in 2000.

He was a member of St. Joseph/Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Topeka and served as a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.

His devotions were his family, his Catholic faith and his Irish heritage. He enjoyed serving as the honorary “St. Patrick” on the family float at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Topeka and hosted large pool parties with extended family and friends each Fourth of July.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy; his sons, Michael (Amy) O’Hara of Smithville, Mo., and Ryan (Leslie) O’Hara of Kansas City, Kan.; and his daughters, Erin (Tim) Newport of Topeka and Katie Scarlett O’Hara (Jack) Calcutt of Bridgeport, Conn.; grandchildren, Peter, Mary Margaret, Bernadette, Bridget, Henry and Joseph Newport and Molly, Brady and Casey O’Hara; three brothers, E.B. O’Hara of Denver, W.J. (Joe) and Charles O’Hara of Topeka; and four sisters, Margaret Grillot and Jeanne Smith, both of St. Paul, Elaine Jefferson of Parsons and Betty Ann Cunningham of Chanute.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, James P. and John (Jack) O’Hara; and a sister, Kathleen O’Hara.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Hieronymo Church with burial at St. Francis Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Topeka, with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. There also will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at St. Francis Hieronymo Church, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Friends also may call rom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to Topeka Catholic Charities and Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul and can be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home in Topeka at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com or Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons at www.wallfuneralservices.com.