Donald O'Neill

Dates

Obituary

Donald O’Neill, 85, of Fulton, SD, died Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be 5-7:00 PM Thursday, December 1, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service. A private family graveside service will be at Graceland Cemetery in Fulton.

Donald William O’Neill was born in Fedora, SD on July 11, 1937 to William and Blanche (Orsborn) O’Neill. After his mother passed away in 1944, Don moved to Fulton, SD to live with his uncle Arnum Blumenberg. Don graduated from Fulton High School and then attended DWU majoring in History and Coaching. After college, Don was offered a job teaching in Mt Vernon, but decided his love was with farming.

On June 3, 1957, Don was united in marriage to Betty Klinger. In January of 1961, Don and Betty moved to the farm outside of Fulton, where Don lived out the rest of his life. Along with farming, Don stayed busy with other various tasks, including driving a school bus early on and planting trees for the County Extension office. Don also served on numerous boards including Fulton State Bank, Fulton Farmers Elevator, Hanson Rural Water, Hanson Farm Mutual Insurance, Graceland Association Cemetery, and Trinity Lutheran Church. Don was also a lifetime member of both the Elks and Moose clubs.

Don loved to be outdoors. He also loved going dancing with his wife Betty, riding motorcycle and later in life his Polaris or the John Deere mowers, and going on trips with the family and when seeing those locations on tv, pointing out that he had been there. Don was an avid collector of toy tractors and loved to show them off. Don was also a HAM Radio enthusiast and was thrilled to get cards from around the world of those he chatted with. He loved spending time with family and friends, and of course, sharing a drink with them.

Don is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Peggy (Dick) Denison of Sioux Falls and Phyllis (Pat) Robinson of Fulton; sons, Douglas (Carmen) O’Neill of Alexandria and Dennis O’Neill of Sioux Falls; and grandchildren: Ashley Denison; Dani Beekman; Kaitlin (Jacob) Schultz; Paul (Cassie) Robinson and daughter Gracie; David (Misty) Robinson and children Hanna and Hunter; Derrick (Emily) Robinson and children Ruthie, Graham, and Winslow; Dustin (Abbie) Robinson and children Sloane and Riggs; Brandi (Bryan) Schave and children Logan, Addison, and Alexis; Donny O'Neill; Riley O'Neill; and Keely O'Neill.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, and two nephews.

Visitation(s)

Cemetery