Obituary of John O'Neal

John Phillip O'Neal, 80, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan. Mr. O'Neal, son of Milton and Nellie (Beebe) O'Neal, was born February 2, 1932, in Dorena, Missouri. He had been a rural mail carrier in the Briar, Missouri, area, retiring after 27 years of dedicated postal service to the community. He had attended the Doniphan Church of Christ and enjoyed bowling and playing softball and he was an avid checkers player. Mr. O'Neal was a decorated veteran in the U.S. Army having served in Korea. On August 15, 1955, he married Maudie Hastings in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and she survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Janet (Dennis) Portwood and Brenda Jaques, both of Doniphan; one son, Randy (Jewelee) O' Neal of Doniphan; two sisters, Peggy Belcher of Madison, Alabama, and Pat Barteau of St. Louis; two brothers, Leroy O'Neal of Mansfield, Arkansas, and Johnny Blackshear of Paducah, Kentucky; grandchildren, Christy Kennon, Camillia Kennon (and fiance', Josh White), Brianna Jaques, Faith Jaques, Regina (Kyle) Armour, Jason (Amber) O'Neal, Clayton O'Neal, Miranda O'Neal, Denny Portwood, Ashley (Matthew) Hudson, Roy "Spud" (Amber) Schrimsher and Matthew (Erin) Schrimsher; and great-grandchildren, Cassey Rainbolt, Dillon Leroux, Lucas Armour, Dakota Armour, Hunter Hudson, Khyla Schrimsher, Paishence Schrimsher, Makenzie Schrimsher, Roy Schrimsher, Mason Schrimsher, Faith Schrimsher, Ben Ruhl, Luke Ruhl, Myla Schrimsher and Mattilynn Schrimsher. Mr. O'Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Nellie O'Neal, one son, John Clay O"Neal, one daughter and son-in-law, Debbie Lynn Schrimscher and Roy, one grandson, Ethan Schrimscher, and two brothers, Milton O'Neal and Charles O'Neal. Visitation will begin at noon Saturday, September 29, 2012, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Wilson Cemetery in Doniphan with Brother Steve Sanders officiating. Memorials may be made to the Paragould Children's Home, 5515 Old Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.