John (Erwin) O'Neill

John (Erwin) O’Neill, 92 of Jackson, NE passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in South Sioux City.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Jackson, NE. Rev. Andrew Sohm will officiate. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Wednesday with a Rosary and Wake Service at 5:00 P.M. at the Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery in Jackson.

 Erwin was born April 24, 1927 in Willis, NE; he was the son of James P. and Pearl M. (Estlack) O’Neill. Erwin grew up in Willis and Jackson, NE and graduated from Ponca High in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Following the service, Erwin graduated from Creighton University with a degree in business administration.

On March 27, 1951, Erwin married Reta F. Leonard in Omaha, NE. She passed away on April 22, 2000 in Sioux City. In August of 2002, Erwin married Marguerite Brienzo and she passed away January 8, 2017.

Erwin worked for a short time in Minneapolis for Moline Farm Equipment Company before returning to join the family business, O’Neill Grain Elevator. He was a partner with his brother for several years and was also involved in several other ag-businesses in N.E. Nebraska.

Erwin was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and he sang in the choir, The Father Tracy Council of the Knights of Columbus, and the Harty-McNally American Legion Post 175 of Jackson, NE.

Survivors include his children: Debra Smith (Doug) of Lee Summit, Mo, Dawn O’Neill of Oxnard, CA and Larry O’Neill of Jackson, NE; his sister Delores Lindemann of Apple Valley, MN; 4 grandchildren: Eric and Saskia Jacobson, Desiree and Delaney Smith; 3 great grandchildren: Emmett, Nina and Calvin Jacobson; 3 step children: Tina Saunders, Gary Brienzo and Bob Brienzo and 2 step grandchildren.

Erwin was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Eugene, a son David and a daughter Vickie.