Frank T. O'Neill

PONCA, Neb. -- Frank T. O'Neill, 93, of Ponca died on April 21, 2011, at a local nursing home.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, Neb., with the Rev. Paul M. Albenesius officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery at Jackson, with military rites conducted by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard and members of the American Legion post of Jackson. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a rosary recited at 4:30 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.christysmith.com .

Mr. O'Neill was born on Nov. 24, 1917, in Ponca, Neb., the son of Thomas J. and Mayme A. (Carpenter) O'Neill. He was raised in the Ponca and Jackson area and graduated from Jackson High School. He also attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In 1940, Frank moved to California to work for American Airlines. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He was a B-24 Liberator Bomber Pilot and survived several missions over the Ploesti Oil Fields in Romania. He was discharged in 1945.

Frank married Noma J. Nelson on Nov. 24,1942, in Jackson, Neb. The couple returned to the family farm after his discharge, where Frank farmed for 34 years, retiring in 1979. He then became a bartender at the O'Neill Buzzsaw Bar & Grill in Waterbury, Neb. Noma died on Nov. 26, 1994, in Sioux City.

Frank was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Air Force Association and Harty-McNally American Legion Post 175 of Jackson, Neb., where he served as Sergeant of Arms in charge of the firing squad. He enjoyed all sports, especially watching his grandchildren compete. He was an avid card player, enjoying Euchre and Cribbage. Frank enjoyed spending time with his friends and family most of all.

Frank is survived by his five children, Jean Maxfield (significant other Bob Casey) of North Sioux City, Jane Dillon of Sioux City, Daniel (Jacki) O'Neill of Lincoln, Neb., Julie (Russ) Rasmussen of South Sioux City, and Brian (Vicky) O'Neill of Jackson, Neb.; 20 grandchildren, Lori (Dean) Gregory, Jeff (Cindy) Maxfield, Randy (Stephanie) Dillon, Amy (James) Robillard, Curt (Michelle) Dillon, Abby (Kevin) Pullman, Autumn Lynch, Frank, Jack, Rick and Tanner O'Neill, Yeshuah (Ferlin) Kauhane, Brandon O'Neill, Samantha (Joe) Koktan, Molly O'Neill, Carla (Mike) Kreegar, John (Angie) Richards, Traci (Matt) Swisher, Rudy Norton and Blake O'Neill; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Leonard O'Neill of Omaha, Neb., Don (Arlene) O'Neill of Torrance, Calif., and Vern (Peg) O'Neill of Dallas, Texas; and sister-in-law, Fern O'Neill of Ponca, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his son, Jerry O'Neill; his son-in-law, Jim "Matt" Dillon; his brother, Jack O'Neill; his sister, Millie O'Neill; and his in-laws, Cy and Jane Nelson.