Geraldine “Geri” “Honey” O’Neil
Geraldine J. O’Neil passed away on Monday September 18, 2023. She was 84 years old.
Honey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 8, 1939 to Peter and Martha (Kelln) Schilling.
As a young girl, Honey spent every free minute swimming and diving. Even in her fifties she was noticed at a public pool and asked to join a competitive dive team.
Honey was united in marriage to James “Jim” O’Neil on June 20, 1959. Jim preceded her in death two years earlier on the same date of September 18th.
Honey and Jim lived on a hobby farm with their three daughters in the town of Saukville, Wisconsin, where the neighborhood was more like family. A job transfer prompted them to relocate to the Dallas, Texas area and eventually led them to retire at Holly Lake Ranch in East Texas.
Honey worked for several different companies through the years, most notably Kohl’s Grocery Stores where she made lifelong friends.
As an avid golfer, Honey won a golf cart with a hole-in-one and even after losing sight in one eye she shot another hole-in-one. In addition, she enjoyed bowling, playing mahjong and bunco and working in her backyard.
Honey is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Jeffrey) Conradt of Oostburg, Wisconsin; Kelly O’Neil and Jennifer (Thomas) Monahan of Port Washington, Wisconsin; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by siblings Jerry (Betty) Schilling, Arlon (Mary) Schilling, Joann Lutz, Diana Hildebrandt, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her husband Jim, Honey is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Vernon, Elmo and Wallace Schilling and her sister Janet White.
A special thank you to her friends and neighbors at Holly Lake Ranch. You made it possible for her to stay in her beloved Texas!
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 5PM Friday, October 13, 2023 at Holy Trinity Parish, 521 Congress Street, Newburg, Wisconsin. Visitation from 3PM Friday until the time of service AT CHURCH. A celebration of Life will follow the Mass on Friday at the Landt-Thiel American Legion, 601 West Dekora Street (Highway 33) in Saukville, Wisconsin. Interment in the parish cemetery at 10AM Saturday.
Geri was a great friend. We spent many days on the golf course. Many nights playing mahjong and Bunco. My life was richer because Geri was my special friend.