Obituary of Eugene "Gene" Thomas O'Neil

Eugene "Gene" Thomas O'Neil, age 77, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the University Hospital & Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin. Gene was born in Nekoosa, Wisconsin on September 19, 1937, the son of John and Lorena (Hardy) O'Neil. Gene served his County for 20 years in the U.S. Navy from December 1954 until June 1975, seeing duty during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Gene worked as a custodian for 24 years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. On December 25, 1965, Gene married Helen Jean Kube in Fort Atkinson, WI. Gene was a member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson, WI. He was also a member of the Paul Frank Florine American Legion Post #166, the Edwin Frohmader VFW Post #1879, and the Military Order of the Cooties, Fleet Reserves. Gene served on the team providing the honor guard for military funerals for local veterans. Surviving are: Wife:Helen O'Neil, Fort Atkinson, WI, Daughter: Julie (Steven) Williams, San Antonio, TX, Grandchildren: Hannah Jean and Luke Alan, Two Brothers:Kenneth O'Neil, Fort Atkinson, WI and Francis O'Neil, Fort Atkinson, WI, Sister: Patricia Brandt, Paragould, Arkansas, Sister-in-law: Violet O'Neil, Stratford, IA, and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a son Alan J. O'Neil who was killed in a military helicopter in Arizona in 1988, and a brother LeRoy O'Neil. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 301 S. High Street, Fort Atkinson, WI with Rev. Michael Duncan and Rev. Paul Scharrer officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Visitation will be form 4-8PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church and after 10AM on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at the church until the time of the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson, WI.