Obituary

Rita Clara O’Neal, 79, died on Saturday (Oct. 9, 2010) in Newton. She was born on Dec. 29, 1930, in Oklahoma to Karl and Ona Mengerhausen. She married Howard R. O’Neal on Jan. 9, 1952, in Ottawa. They were married more than 58 years. Rita was a homemaker and had two sons, Randy O’Neal of Peabody and Roger O’Neal of Newton. She was a “rock hound” and a 4-H geology leader for more than 40 years. Her faith in God was important to her. She is survived by her husband, Howard R. O’Neal; and two sons, Roger and Randy O’Neal; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Ona Mengerhausen; and three brothers, Ralph, Paul and John Calvin Mengerhausen. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today, with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. A committal service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody.