Leo E. O’Neal, Albert Lea
Published 12:00 am Friday, April 9, 2004
The funeral service for Leo E. O’Neal, of Albert Lea, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12, at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Dan Baker will officiate at the service.
Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery of Albert Lea.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before service at the church.
Leo died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at his home in Albert Lea. Leo was 87 years old.
Leo was born in Albert Lea on Sept. 11, 1916, the son of Elzie and Bertha (Inderlid) O’Neal.
Leo graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1934.
Leo was united in marriage to Bernice Gilbertson in 1937 in Northwood, Iowa, and they just celebrated their 67th anniversary on March 20th. Leo worked for Wilson & Co. for 44 years, retiring in April 1980 as plant superintendent. With the exception of 10 years at the Wilson & Co. plant in Faribault, Leo spent his entire life as a resident of Albert Lea. Leo always had the utmost regard for Wilson & Co. and an extremely high respect for his fellow employees.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, past president of the Albert Lea Country Club, and a member of the Albert Lea Masonic Lodge and Elks Club. Leo was an avid fisherman who enjoyed his annual fishing trips to Canada, over the past 45 years, along with other fishing trips. He also enjoyed hunting (all kinds), bowling and golfing.
Leo enjoyed his work which at times was very consuming, but he always found time to be with his family, especially his great joy being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was survived by his wife, Bernice of Albert Lea; children: Beverly Connly of Burnsville and her fianc Phil Olson of Bloomington, Michael L. (Judy) O’Neal of Cherokee, Iowa, Craig W. (Ann) O’Neal of Eden Prairie, and Brian S. O’Neal of Nevada, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sister, Blanche Nelson of Albert Lea, brother, Roger O’Neal of Wilsonville, Ore.; and son-in-law, Roger Gherke of Glendale, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Peggy Gherke; brother, Harry O’Neal; and son-in-law, Rollin Connly.
Leo will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends.