Margaret Ellen O'Neill

Margaret Ellen O’Neill, 82, of Kearney, Nebraska; former Sumner resident, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Margaret Ellen was born March 3, 1932, in the family home at Sumner, Nebraska, to Delmar Raymond and Margaret Lucinda (Trindle) Dickerson. Margaret graduated from Sumner High School with the class of 1949, and went on to further her education at Nebraska Wesleyan University. While there she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She taught one year at Murdock, Nebraska. After her mother died she moved back to Sumner to be closer to her father and to teach elementary school. She met and married Thomas James “Sam” O’Neill on October 31, 1953, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Eddyville. Seven children were born to this marriage. She and her husband owned and operated Sam’s Market in Sumner until they retired in 1987. Margaret Ellen was active in many church and civic organizations. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where was the church organist for many years. She was a member of the altar society and taught religious education classes. Following the death of her husband in 1990, she became active in the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women where she served as president for two years. She was named a Merit Mom by the Nebraska Mother’s Association. Margaret Ellen was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Sumner Senior Citizens, Bible Study, and was a member of the Dawson County Election Board. She was a substitute elementary teacher and volunteered her time reading to students. Margaret was Grand Marshal of the Sumner 4th of July Celebration parade in 2010. She was presently a member of St. John Capistran in Amherst. She spent her final months at WEL-Life Assisted Living in Kearney. She will be remembered as the resident historian at Tub’s Pub coffee table, and for her great faith, hospitality, generosity, numerous loaves of banana bread, and her unconditional love. Survivors include her six sons and one daughter; Tom “Tip” (Jan) O’Neill of Lincoln, NE; Tim (Vickie) O’Neill of Lebanon, PA; P.J. (Carol) O’Neill of Kearney, NE; Dan (Judy) O’Neill of North Platte, NE; Mitch O’Neill of Kearney, NE; Colleen O’Neill of Omaha, NE; and, Bill (Jen) O’Neill of Gretna, NE; twelve grandchildren; T.J. O’Neill of Omaha, NE; Nicole and husband Scott Bienstock of Parkville, MA; Bridgette and husband Dan Vogelsong of Carlisle, PA; Joe O’Neill and fiancée Liz Kurban of Washington, D.C.; Brooke O’Neill of Hastings, NE; David and wife Michaela O’Neill of Lincoln, NE; Sean and wife Kelsie O’Neill of Lincoln, NE; Andrew & Patrick O’Neill of North Platte, NE; Camille, Olivia & Jack O’Neill of Gretna, NE; two great-grandchildren; Annaleigh Vogelsong & Owen Bienstock. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Margaret Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sam; two infant grandchildren; Sam & Hannah; two brothers, Howard in infancy and Duane “Bud” Dickerson; and, two sisters, Betty Wickard and Barbara McTygue. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, July 28, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney with Reverends Paul Colling and Jose Chavez officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 27, 2014, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. with Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery at Eddyville. Memorials are suggested to Sumner Commercial Club Splash Pad, the Vision Research – ROPARD Foundation or Young Believers at St. John Capistran. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences to the family may be shared at: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.