O’Neal, Donald Leroy - 1921-2011

BAUMGARTNER, BURNHAM, DELAWDER, FLOBERG, GILKS, HENDERSON, KUCKER, O’NEAL

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 9/14/2024 at 15:53:22

Donald Leroy O'Neal died November 20, 2011 in Kennewick, Washington. He was born November 29, 1921 in Codington County, South Dakota to the late Henry A. (Tony) and Mable Alice Kucker O'Neal. Don graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa in 1941, joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he moved to Richland, Washington where he was employed at the Hanford Site as a power operator. Donald served as the President of Local 280 International Union of Operating Engineers for several years. He worked as a power supervisor until his retirement for Rockwell Hanford. Throughout his life, Donald enjoyed camping and fishing with his children, vacationing in Mexico, Europe, and Japan, and taking numerous trips to Hawaii with his brother and sister-in-law Carl and Esther Henderson. He and Evelyn made many friends as members of the Alpha Gold Sun Seekers RV group.
Don is survived by his wife Evelyn Gilks O'Neal of Kennewick, children Donna L. O'Neal (Tom) of San Jose, CA; Peggy J. O'Neal of Richland, WA; Daniel S. O'Neal (Margaret) of San Jose, CA; Martin L. O'Neal (Nancy) of Richland, WA; and Sally D. O'Neal (Mike) of Richland, WA; step-children, Bill Floberg (Sandra) of Kennewick, WA; Brian Floberg of Richland, WA; and Tina Baumgartner (Gary) of Kennewick, WA; 10 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He leaves brothers Melvin (Barbara), Robert, and Guy O'Neal, and sisters, Virgil (Warren) and Elsie (Bud) of Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Linda L. Delawder and sister, Barbara (Bill) Burnham.
Services will be Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 12:00 p.m., at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union, Kennewick, WA, with viewing on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice at The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Tuesday, November 29, 2011, page 5B