Francis "Skeeter" O'Neal

Francis “Skeeter” O’Neal Jr, age 82, of Garretson, passed into the hands of God on Sunday December 1, 2019, at his home surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Francis “Skeeter” was born December 15, 1936 in Sioux Falls SD to Frances (Stub) O’Neal Sr and Edna (Severson) O’Neal. He attended grade school at Franklin and Whittier and graduated from Brandon High School. He served in the Air Force for 4 years and was stationed in New Mexico where he met and married Jenny Bernal in 1959. They moved back to Sioux Falls and started their family, having 3 children: Terry, Patrick, and Rachel.

Skeeter worked for John Morrell for many years and then had his own business out of his garage working as a mechanic. His skills and knowledge of vehicles took him to Garretson to be employed with Nordstrom’s Auto Salvage until he retired. He was talented and naturally gifted to work on vehicles but to also socialize and make nearly everyone he met a friend. One of his greatest joys was visiting with friends, and people in general, and he wasn’t one to tell a short story.

Skeeter had many passions in life. His family and friends were always first and foremost, but he also loved to golf, and he continued to do that through this last summer. He used to say, “I will keep on golfing as long as my golf buddies will put up with me.” Skeeters other interests from when he was young until he passed were things like being active with Little Flower Catholic Church, car races, puzzles, drawing, and photography. He loved other outdoor activities like camping with his family, hunting, fishing, and metal detecting. He truly had a passion for life and if he was doing something with friends or family, he was happy.

Skeeter is survived by his special friend Bobbi Jo Sakry; two sons Patrick O’Neal and Terry O’Neal both of Sioux Falls SD; daughter Rachel Brown and fiancé Rick Leonhardt of Sioux Falls SD; Grandchildren: Trista (Jeff) Friman of Tripp SD, Danielle O’Neal of Sioux Falls, Terry Jr “TJ” O’Neal of Sioux Falls SD, Steven Bohr of Fargo ND, Stephanie O’Neal of Sioux Falls, SD and Nathaniel O’Neal of Sioux Falls SD; 9 great grandchildren; his brother Fred “Snipper” O’Neal of Sioux Falls SD; sister Leann (Clay) Stephen of Peoria AZ; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Skeeter is preceded in death by his parents, Frances (Stub) and Edna O’Neal, wife Jenny O’Neal, granddaughter Rachel Herendez, nephew Dominic Moore, and brothers Ferrian “Pete” O’Neal and Forrest “Sonny” O’Neal.

A memorial visitation will be from 2:00pm – 5:00pm on Sunday December 8, 2019 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson, with a time of sharing beginning at 3:00pm.  Private Burial with immediate family scheduled for a later date.