Patrick "Paddy" O'Neal

A Celebration of Life for Patrick "Paddy" O'Neal, 74, of Lacona will be held Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lacona. Family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service on Sunday. Memorials in Pat's honor will be designated at a later date. Pat was born to Willard and Mildred (Graves) O'Neal on July 3, 1943 in Des Moines, IA. He attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines until he felt he knew what he needed in order to live his life. He was united in Marriage to Carmella (Sciarrotta) O'Neal in July 1961 and to that union was blessed with three children; Paul (Gail) O'Neal, Julie (Jeff) Ries, and Patrick II (Carmen) O'Neal. Although the union between Pat and Carmella ended their Love and Friendship did not. A couple of years later Pat was united in Marriage to Vizinia (Miller) O'Neal in February 1985. Pat and Viz were married 33 years living the last 20 years in Lacona, IA . The land and property he owned in Lacona was his pride and joy and that is where he wished to live the rest of his days and Viz honored his request and loved him and cared for him up to his last breath. Pat began as a painter/drywaller in his early years and was one of the daredevils to rid the capital dome of its green color and transformed it into a golden dome in 1962 and later remodeled the Governor's Mansion at Terrace Hill. Pat was an exceptional man and talented visionary with the ability to put his skills to work in some of the most creative ways with his painting and remodeling techniques and built our family home in 1971 from ground up, incorporating his signature work into the entire project. This was his trade taught to him by his dad and since has taught his two sons. Pat is also well know for his vibrant way of socializing with family and friends, no doubt, he loved him some whisky and anything alcohol related and was entertainment for many as the night wore on. The establishments he frequented included: South Town Tap, Francies, All in the Family, Park Avenue Pub, County Line Pub, Army Post Tap, and Cunningham's. He was a bit like a hurricane at times, creating chaos and havoc, but making for great conversation later on. So I guess you could say, "He did it for the memories". Pat worked for many contractors in his lifetime, he began his career alongside his dad painting for the Des Moines School District before moving on to Keller Incorporated where he placed the gold leaf on the Capital dome. As his talents in his trade progressed, so did the opportunities to work for other contracting companies, until starting up a partnership painting and drywall business with a dear friend and forming, O'Neal and Caulder Incorporated in 1968 until 1976. In 1976 he began working for the Hayden Company. In 1984 he moved to Colorado to head up the office for the Hayden Company. In 1986 he left Hayden and began his own contracting business as Craft Master Interiors. He moved back to Des Moines in 1990 to be closer to his family and formed a business venture under the name PAO LTD. He worked also for Pyramid Painting, a company owned by his older brother before deciding to venture out in a new direction. He fell in love with a little town called Lacona where he not only laid claim to his current residence, but also bought the local bar and grill, affectionately naming it O'Neal's Bar and Grill that he and Viz still own. Pat's legacy will be continued in the loved ones he leaves behind, which include his wife Viz, His children Paul and wife Gail and their children, Jenifer (Zach) Blanchard, John Patrick O'Neal and Shannon O'Neal, Mindi Marshall, Nicolas Marshall, Eric Marshall and Dylan Marshall. Julie (Jeff) Ries and their children Cody (Christine) Ries and Chloe Ries, Patrick (Carmen) O'Neal II their children Taylor O'Neal (Martin Frazier), Natalie O'Neal and Patrick O'Neal III. He has five great grand children; Brady Blanchard, Kian O'Neal, Joseph Ries, Nevaeh Ries, and Delilah Frazier. Pat was the second youngest sibling and the first to pass, leaving behind his Sister Phyllis (Jim) Cunningham, Pete (Glenna) O'Neal, Paul (Bonnie) O'Neal, David (Jackie) O'Neal, Mike (Diane) Nye, Conda (Gerald) Waterman, and Karla (Jim) McCarty. He is preceded in death by his Parents Willard and Mildred O'Neal, Mother and Father in Law Bob and Joyce Miller, brother in law Jim Cunningham and sister in law Glenna O'Neal and nephew Christopher Waterman. He also leaves behind many adoring nieces and nephews and other extended family. And his beloved dog Beaner. Pat considered a lot of people family and if he met you and liked you and you could put up with him you were made an ‘Honorary O'Neal', His closest friends could be seen at most O'Neal functions. In his early years Pat enjoyed camping, boating, Hunting with Bows and Guns, Golfing, Traveling. In his later years he enjoyed Gardening, Nascar races, Sitting on his deck looking out toward his pond and of course the ever chaotic family gatherings that he looked forward too especially the fourth of July events that included his children camping in the driveway and two days of celebrating both his birthday and the fourth. He would tell us each year when he would call to make sure we were all going to show up for the Party, "You know, this could be my last year", well this year was. We Love You Pat O'Neal. Visitation

DEC 17. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Lacona

104 S. Washington

Lacona, IA 50139

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Service

DEC 17. 4:00 PM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Lacona

104 S. Washington

Lacona, IA 50139

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com