Leslie O’Neal

Col. (Ret.) Leslie “Les” F. O’Neal, 88, of Shiloh, IL born Thursday, May 13, 1937, in South Bend, IN, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Evervella in Swansea, IL.

He was an Air Force Veteran serving for 30 years including a tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam Conflict. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Colonel (06) in 1997. He was also stationed at Sheppard AFB, Texas; South Ruislip, England; Torrejon AFB, Spain; Robins AFB, Georgia; Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio and Scott AFB, Illinois. His career included duties in the personnel, manpower and logistics career fields.

Les earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (English and History) from Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois and a Master of Science Degree from Central Michigan University (Personnel Management), Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Prior to his Air Force career, he was a high school teacher in the Onarga and Forrest-Strawn-Wing Illinois school systems where he taught English and History.

Throughout his life he followed his passion for literature and history through extensive reading. He was particularly interested in the American Civil War and was a Civil War Reenactor for several years.

Les was an adult leader in Boy Scouts serving as a Cub Scout Cubmaster, Den Leader and Cub Scout Day Camp Leader. He was a Boy Scout Troop Leader and served as a unit and assistant district commissioner. He was a commissioner trainer and participated in many Eagle Scout Boards and a charter member of American Legion Post #2007 in Swansea, IL.

He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, Illinois from 1971 to 2014, where he was an elder, deacon and Stephen Leader and member of the Men’s Bible Study Group. He was also a leader and member of the Helmsmen Mariner Social Group. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, Florida from 2014 to 2019, where he served as a Stephen Leader and attended the Men’s Bible Study Group. He was a member of St. Matthew Church in Belleville, Illinois from 2019 to present. He was also a member of New Life Club and New Life Senior Choir. His faith was very important to him and he strived to show this in everyday life.

He was preceded in death by his:

• Parents, Howard S. O’Neal, and Doris R. O’Neal
• Son, Loren F. O’Neal
• Daughter, Deon R. O’Neal, first wife, Susan Evans
• Daughter-in-law, Esther O’Neal

Surviving are his:

• Wife, Alison D. O’Neal of Shiloh, IL whom he married July 16, 1969 in Watford, England
• Sons:
  • Owen L. (Vickie) O’Neal of Tacoma, WA
  • Austin T. O’Neal of Tacoma, WA
  • Nayland P. (Amye) O’Neal of Monroe, WA
• Brothers:
  • Howard N. O’Neal of Lewisville, TX
  • Michael (Carol) O’Neal of Fayetteville, NY
• Grandchildren:
  • Sarah
  • Jonathan
  • Ryan
• Great granddaughter, Virginia Grace O’Neal
• Nieces, nephew, and cousins

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Brightly Memory Care in Glen Carbon, IL.

Visitation: Visitation from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday, July 28th 2025, at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL, and from 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 29th 2025 at St. Matthew Church in Belleville, IL.

Services: Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 29th 2025, at St. Matthew Church with Pastor Bob Swickard officiating. Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

The Memorial Service will be live streamed. It can be accessed by one of these methods:

https://stmatthew.church/live

Via the church Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/SaintMatthewBelleville

or via the Church Youtube Page at

https://www.youtube.com/@saintmatthew-belleville/streams

Obit Provided By:
Kurrus Funeral Home