James O'Neal

Surrounded by his loving family, James Edward "Jim Ed" O'Neal, 87, passed away Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 16, 1935, in Gordonville to Glenn Edward and Hazel Statler O'Neal. He and Elizabeth "Liz" Hitt were married March 18, 1955, at Baptist Church in Arbor. They resided in rural Cape Girardeau. They had been married 65 years when Liz passed away April 25, 2020.

Jim was a 1954 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He honorably served in the Missouri National Guard.

During his senior year in high school, he loaded trucks for Cauble & Field in Cape Girardeau. He then worked seven years as a lineman at Missouri Utility Co. and 32 years as a truck driver for Wetterau in Scott City. He was a member of the Teamsters.

He was a lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville, and recently renewed his faith through immersion baptism.

In earlier years, Jim enjoyed hunting raccoons and rabbits. He was well known for raising registered beagles and 'coon hounds, and was a member of the Southeast Missouri Beagle Club, serving many years as president. He is also remembered for making delicious summer sausage and pork sausage.

In recent years, Jim took great pleasure in watching his grandson's sports events and traveling all over Southeast Missouri to watch his son coach ballgames.

Loving survivors include a son, James L. "Lynn" (Wendy) O'Neal of Cape Girardeau; two grandsons, Jonathan O'Neal of Cape Girardeau and Brock O'Neal of Searcy, Arkansas.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Jacob May will conduct the funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the "Tributes" tab of Jim's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.