Gary D. O'Neal

Gary D. O’Neal, 87, of Connersville received his wings Saturday evening, October 12, 2024. The son of Chester Sr., and Gayle Holland O’Neal, Gary was born on September 13, 1937 in Germantown, Indiana. He graduated from Connersville Senior High in 1955 where he was an all-around athlete. For seven years, Gary held the record for the fastest mile in Cross Country. Furthermore, Gary and his basketball teammates faced Oscar Robertson and the rest of the Crispus Attucks team who at the time held a prefect 62-0 record, that is until Connersville beat them making their record 62-1. After graduation, Gary furthered his education at Purdue University receiving his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1959. In January of 1960, he enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from ROTC at Purdue. Gary proudly served his country for seventeen years and earned the rank of Captain prior to his honorable discharge. On July 31, 1960, he married the love of his life, the former W. Gayle Huffman. Gary co-owned Economy Rexall Drug store for thirty-four years as a highly respected and beloved pharmacist. He was a member of many organizations including: Rotary, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Warren Masonic Lodge #15, Grandview PTA, a Scout Leader for the Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce where he received multiple awards. In addition, Gary was a faithful member, and served on numerous committees at First United Methodist Church, and held a position on the Board of Trustees at Union Savings and Loan for thirty years. While Gary was very involved in his community, he always made time for his children and grandchildren. Whether he was coaching them in Basketball, leading a Boy Scout troop, teaching them how to volunteer their time, or traveling the state to their grandsons’ baseball games, he treasured every memory they made. Gary adored spending time with his family and his loving wife. Together, he and Gayle traveled to Orange Beach, Alabama for seventeen years with friends and later family, and while the men golfed, the ladies shopped. They also traveled to Hawaii, Holland and different parts of Europe. When Gary had time between everything listed above, you could find him meticulously tending to his yard. In the summer, he took great pride in maintaining his tomato plants, flowers, feeding “Rocky” the squirrel and the hummingbirds, and in the winter, perfectly decorating the spruce tree for Christmas. Gary was a loving man who truly enjoyed helping others without any form of recognition. He will be deeply missed by the family he loved and the community he served. Gary is survived by his children and their spouses: Greg O’Neal, Grant and Melissa O’Neal, Gina and Patrick Chaney; grandchildren: Jacob, Dane, Willie, Nolan, Hank, and Samantha; great-grandchildren: Riley, Christopher; several nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends. In addition to his late wife Gayle, of sixty-four years who passed away in June, Gary is preceded in death by his parents: Chester Sr., and Gayle; grandson: Tyler; granddaughter: Teegan; brothers: William O’Neal, Chester O’Neal and Richard O’Neal. A funeral service for Gary will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Showalter Blackwell Long, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Rob Judd officiating. Gary will be laid to rest at Dale Cemetery, section J, with Military Honors. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m., until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Gary’s honor.