Denvil Lee O'Neal

Denvil Lee "Dick" O'Neal of 408 Brookhill Drive died on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at his home.

Mr. O'Neal was born on March 23, 1926 in Killarney , West Virginia and was the son of James Roy O'Neal and Icie Pearl Daniel O'Neal. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joyce Ann Rowe O'Neal, whom he married on January 10, 1948, as well as by his sisters Donnie M. O'Neal, Daisy J. O'Neal and Dorthy M. O'Neal and his brothers Roy Edward O'Neal, Eugene Marshall O'Neal and Donald James O'Neal all of Beckley, West Virginia. Also preceding him in death were sisters-in-law Sarah Merrylees O'Neal of Beckley, West Virginia and Viola Lachney Rowe of Toledo , Ohio and brothers-in-law Mont Alden Rowe and Robert Allen Rowe of Toledo , Ohio .

Mr. O'Neal was a 1944 graduate of Stoco High School. Following graduation he served in World War II in the 26th Infantry Division in the Central European Theater. He was a Combat Infantryman and Sharpshooter with the M1 Rifle. He was honorably discharged July 1946 as a Private First Class. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the Army Occupation Medal (Germany).

Mr. O'Neal lived in Grundy, Virginia for many years before moving to Abingdon in 1976. He worked faithfully for Persinger Supply Company for 35 years before retiring in 1994.

He was a member of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. While living in Grundy, he was a member of Buchanan First Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon and youth group leader for many years.

Dick loved sports of all kinds and was an avid golfer until the age of 84. He was a member of Glenrochie Country Club where he won the President's Cup and was previously a member of Willowbrook Country Club where he won the Club Championship.

Dick loved and cherished his wife Joyce who died January 30, 2004. Since then, he had spent much of his time with friends at Chick N Little, Glenrochie Country Club and in his neighborhood. He loved each of them and appreciated their support.

He is survived by his two daughters, Peggy O'Neal Haines of Melbourne Australia and Genie O'Neal of Abingdon, Virginia as well as sons-in-law Greg Haines and Walter Smith and one grandson, Neal Smith of Irvine, California. Also surviving is his beloved sister-in-law Alice Moore O'Neal of Beckley, West Virginia and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. O'Neal's family expresses gratitude to Dr. Mark Handy, Dr. Naum Spiegel, Dr. John Johnston, Dr. Paul Armstrong, Dr. William Cummings, Dr. John Ray, other doctors and staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital and Arlene Stevenson for their years of care. They would also like to thank Hospice of Southwest Virginia, Lincare and Assurance Care Plus for their compassionate care this past year.

Honorary pallbearers are Randy O'Neal, Joe Rowe, Dennis Godfrey, Dave Bays, Craig Lott, Josh Wellenhoffer, Van Keyser, Braven Beaty, Danny Gregory, Bernie Neese and Peyton Boyd.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service located at 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, Virginia. The funeral service with military rites will be on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 11:00 am in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with family friend, Minister William Neeley officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abingdon Memorial Post 1994, Veterans of Foreign Wars at 765 Baugh Lane, Abingdon, Virginia 24210 or Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210.

The family of Denvil Lee "Dick" O'Neal is being cared for by The Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.