Illinois, passed away on September 17, 2018, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois. He was 89.

 

Ernie was born February 5, 1929, in Woodstock, Illinois, the son of Ernie and Mary (Lockinger) O’Neil. He attended public schools in the Chicago area and proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  After returning home, he married Gertrude A. Karlesky on June 30, 1956 in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Ernie and his family moved from the Chicago area to Industry, Illinois in 1972.  Ernie retired from Western Illinois University and was also a farmer.  He recently lived in Clinton, Illinois with his daughter.

 

Ernie is survived by his son, Brian (Lori) O’Neil of Batavia, Illinois and his daughter, Brenda (Mel Duesenberg) Sanderson of Clinton, Illinois; his grandchildren, Erin O’Neil, SeAnna Sanderson Sloat, Colleen Antczak, and Haley Starkey; and four great-grandchildren, Kayel Sloat, Brody Sloat, Charolotte Antczak and Olivia Antczak. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gertrude; his sisters, Jane, Margaret and Ella; and his brother, John.

 

Private graveside services will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, Illinois with cremation rites.

 

Memorials may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.