Kenneth "Ken" Richard O'Neal, 70 years old, of Swink Hill Rd. died Wednesday, April 7th at 6:23 PM at Frick Hospital in Mt Pleasant. Ken was born January 4, 1940, at Crossland Station near Connellsville, PA, the son of the late Charles W. and Mabel "Esther" Means O'Neal of Adelaide. He was raised in Adelaide and lived all his life in the Connellsville area.
He is survived by four children: Charles D. O'Neal and wife, Anita, of Mt. Pleasant; Kenneth M. "Mike" O'Neal and wife, Beth, of Mt Pleasant; Darlene R. O'Neal and husband, Mark Doud, of Pennsylvania Furnace; and Erica D. O'Neal of Gans; one brother: Donald A. O'Neal and wife, Francis, of Lakewood, OH; two sisters: Lilly Parnham of Smithfield; and Joyce D. Bishop of Connellsville; and several nieces and nephews. He had seven grandchildren: Jeanine, Matthew, Tara, Calin, Christina, Michael & Steven. He is also survived by his ex-wife Irma R. Schroyer O'Neal, and his dear friend L. Lorraine Ruffner of Dunbar.
He was predeceased by his mother, Mabel "Esther" Means O'Neal, in 2002; his father Charles W. O'Neal is 1974 and by an infant brother in 1938.
Ken retired from Anchor Glass Container Corp. in 1997, as a Journeyman mechanic, with 38 years of service. After retiring he began researching his Family Tree, donating the information to local libraries and posting his Family Tree on the internet. He enjoyed finding old family and abandoned cemeteries. He would record the names and dates from the head stones to put the information on the internet and in local libraries for genealogy researchers to use to find their ancestors. He was a member of the Fayette County Genealogy Society and the Bedford County Historical Society. Ken also enjoyed working on cars, hunting and fishing especially hunting deer with a bow and arrow.
Ken was a member of the G.M.P Local 139, South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club, The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America and a life member of the North American Hunting Club. He was also active in contacting politicians to preserve the Second Amendment and other Freedom Rights issues.
Ken understood going to a funeral home to visit is very unpleasant for most people and many only go because they feel it is a duty. It is his wish that there be no viewing or funeral service. He has donated his body to Medical Science in the hope that by doing so someone will be helped.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life. The memorial service will be held on May 1st at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Assembly of God Church 1316 South Pittsburgh St in Connellsville. No donations or flowers please. He requested that you send that donation to any one of the 2nd amendment rights organizations instead. Arrangements are in the care of GRAFT-JACQUILLARD FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC. 303 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale.