Ray O'Neal

Ray Dene O'Neal, 79, of Fountaintown, Indiana passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, Florida. Born July 21, 1930 in Adolphus, Kentucky, he was the son of John E. O'Neal and Audrey E. (McGuffy) O'Neal. He married Nina E. Day on May 17, 1952, and she preceded him in death on November 3, 2008. Survivors include his son, Ray A. O'Neal of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughters, Peggy L. Hicks and Connie (husband, Todd) Larkey, both of Fairland; sister, Carla Sue Smith of Greenwood; grandchildren, Riley O'Neal of West Palm Beach, Brittany (husband, Jeremy) Miller of Washington, Illinois, Bradley Hicks of Indianapolis, Melissa Hicks, Lindsey Larkey and Kelsey Larkey, all of Fairland. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Jean Sterrett. He was formerly employed at RCA in the molding facility in Indianapolis, retiring in 1990, after 41 years of service. Mr. O'Neal was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War, last serving in 1954. He was a member of the Fairland Masonic Lodge. Mr. O'Neal attended the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis and Fairland Baptist Mission. He loved to sing and entertain at all of the local nursing home in Shelby County. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., with Masonic ritual at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Elder Doug Skinner officiating and Bradley Hicks assisting. Interment will be in Fairland Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46209-4830 or Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, Fund Development, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238.