Robert "Bob" William O'Neill
August 21, 1924 — May 17, 2016
Robert “Bob” William O’Neill
Robert “Bob” O’Neill was born at home in Hancock, Iowa on August 12, 1924 to G.F. (Frank) and Mary (Gorman) O’Neill. He was baptized and confirmed, and was a life time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca, Iowa. Bob attended all twelve grades of school in Hancock, Iowa. Bob enjoyed playing baseball and soft ball in school and with his friends, at one point in his young life he was asked to go and try out as a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox’s, but turned it down to continue to work on the family farm.
Bob married Elvilda Larsen on April 18, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca, IA. They were the parents of five children a baby that died at birth, Robert, Mary Kay, Joseph and Thomas.
Bob was a long time farmer on the family farm just west of Hancock, Iowa. The farm was passed down to him from his father. This farm is to be honored as a Century Farm in August of 2016. Bob was very proud to say that he once farmed the land. Bob and Elvilda bought a farm North East of Hancock in 1956. For forty one years, along with farming Bob did a lot of custom shelling and hauling for local farmers in the area. Bob was also very proud of his Irish heritage.
Bob enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending dirt track races and several National NASCAR races over the years. He also had a passion for antique cars especially for his 1917 Model T and his 1963 Bonneville Convertible. He also had a love for anything to do with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and especially enjoyed watching them play sports. Some of his most peaceful times were playing with his grandchildren in their playhouse and visiting with them sitting on the picnic bench under a shade tree. Bob and Elvilda were also avid square dancers they attended dances from Chicago all the way to Phoenix.
Bob passed away on Tuesday May 17, 2016 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, he had attained ninety one years, eight months and twenty six days. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a child at birth, son - Robert G. O’Neill and brother-in-law Gregory Nichols.
Bob leaves to mourn his passing his wife of sixty five years Elvilda of Avoca, IA; sons - Joe O’Neill (Fiancé Deanna Roark) of Atlantic, IA; Tom O’Neill and his Significant other Lisa Hunt of Hancock, IA; daughter Mary Kay (Paul) Edwards of Chicago, IL; Grandchildren - Danny O’Neill of Wasilla, AK; Emily and her husband Dustin Young of Hancock, IA: Shaun, Jennifer, Patrick O’Neill all of Beloit, WI; Noby O’Neill-Edwards of Memphis, TN; Great Grandchildren Destiny O’Neill of Wasilla, AK; Brogyn Young of Hancock, IA; Devin, Justin, Kelly, Kayla O’Neill all of Beloit, WI; and; sister Mary Frances Nichols of Portland, OR; nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Robert “Bob” O’Neill was born at home in Hancock, Iowa on August 12, 1924 to G.F. (Frank) and Mary (Gorman) O’Neill. He was baptized and confirmed, and was a life time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca, Iowa. Bob attended all twelve grades of school in Hancock, Iowa. Bob enjoyed playing baseball and soft ball in school and with his friends, at one point in his young life he was asked to go and try out as a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox’s, but turned it down to continue to work on the family farm.
Bob married Elvilda Larsen on April 18, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca, IA. They were the parents of five children a baby that died at birth, Robert, Mary Kay, Joseph and Thomas.
Bob was a long time farmer on the family farm just west of Hancock, Iowa. The farm was passed down to him from his father. This farm is to be honored as a Century Farm in August of 2016. Bob was very proud to say that he once farmed the land. Bob and Elvilda bought a farm North East of Hancock in 1956. For forty one years, along with farming Bob did a lot of custom shelling and hauling for local farmers in the area. Bob was also very proud of his Irish heritage.
Bob enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending dirt track races and several National NASCAR races over the years. He also had a passion for antique cars especially for his 1917 Model T and his 1963 Bonneville Convertible. He also had a love for anything to do with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and especially enjoyed watching them play sports. Some of his most peaceful times were playing with his grandchildren in their playhouse and visiting with them sitting on the picnic bench under a shade tree. Bob and Elvilda were also avid square dancers they attended dances from Chicago all the way to Phoenix.
Bob passed away on Tuesday May 17, 2016 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, he had attained ninety one years, eight months and twenty six days. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a child at birth, son - Robert G. O’Neill and brother-in-law Gregory Nichols.
Bob leaves to mourn his passing his wife of sixty five years Elvilda of Avoca, IA; sons - Joe O’Neill (Fiancé Deanna Roark) of Atlantic, IA; Tom O’Neill and his Significant other Lisa Hunt of Hancock, IA; daughter Mary Kay (Paul) Edwards of Chicago, IL; Grandchildren - Danny O’Neill of Wasilla, AK; Emily and her husband Dustin Young of Hancock, IA: Shaun, Jennifer, Patrick O’Neill all of Beloit, WI; Noby O’Neill-Edwards of Memphis, TN; Great Grandchildren Destiny O’Neill of Wasilla, AK; Brogyn Young of Hancock, IA; Devin, Justin, Kelly, Kayla O’Neill all of Beloit, WI; and; sister Mary Frances Nichols of Portland, OR; nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
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