Dr. Gerald H. O’Neill died Nov. 28 at the age of 89.
Born July 30, 1923, in Lina, Ohio, he was a son of Henry and Minnie (Schenk) O’Neill. The family moved to Indiana and he graduated from Frankfort High School in 1941. He married Frances Marx on Nov. 19, 1949, in Chicago, Ill.
He did his undergraduate studies at Butler University and graduate work at Illinois College of Optometry. He received bachelor of science and doctor of optometry degrees in 1950. Dr. O’Neill was the first professional optometrist to practice in Hendricks County. He practiced optometry for 35 years in Plainfield and also served as an optometrist for the Indiana Boys School from 1951 to ‘72. He retired in 1984.
Dr. O’Neill was a life member of both the Indiana and American optometric associations, the Stonebelt Society, and The International Vosh. He was presented with a Kentucky Colonel’s citation in 1990.
He was a decorated World War II Army veteran of the Normandy and Battle of the Bulge campaigns in Europe, therefore he held life memberships in both the V.F.W. Post 190 and American Legion Post 329. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge No. 560.
Dr. O’Neill helped organize the Plainfield Optimist Club in 1951, served as its first vice president, and helped form Optimist little league football in Plainfield in 1964.
Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Walden and husband Terry; a daughter, Maureen Potucek and husband Chuck; a son, Mike O’Neill; grandsons Matt Walden, Ryan Walden and wife Kristi, Kurt Walden and wife Rachel, John Walden, Michael Potucek, and Mark Potucek; and great-grandchildren Riley Walden and Mallory Walden.
Services and entombment will be at Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park North. Services are 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Memorials may be made to the Lighthouse Mission or the Salvation Army.
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