James J. “Jim” O’Neill, 76, of Le Sueur and formerly of the St. Thomas area, died on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born on May 17, 1933, in St. Paul to Thomas and Florence (Conlogue) O’Neill. Jim graduated from Le Sueur High School and attended the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis studying mechanics. He was in the U. S. Army and served in Germany following World War II serving in the Corps of Engineers. He married Muriel Kemp on April 4, 1959, in Arlington, Minnesota. He farmed in Tyrone Township for many years and also operated his mechanic shop servicing local farmers and later retired to Le Sueur. Jim was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas and of the V.F.W. of Le Sueur. He had served on the Tyrone Township Board as Clerk for many years. He enjoyed fishing, camping, biking and attending events that involved his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel; 6 Children, Peggy (Neal) Lewis of Maplewood, Kelly (Al Grundmeyer) O’Neill of Inver Grove Heights, Carolyn (Ron) Burns of Henderson, John (Andy) O’Neill of Rosemount, Colleen (Mike) Bartlett of St. Peter and Nancy (John) Pfarr of Le Sueur; 15 Grandchildren, Megan, Annie, Brittney & Sam Burns; Brian & Tom Grundmeyer; Anna & Jack O’Neill, Daniel & Patrick Pfarr; Ashton & Zoey Bartlett; Amy, Greg & Joe Lewis. 2 Brothers, Bill O’Neill of Sedalia, MO and Dick (Josie) O’Neill of Kansas City, MO; 3 Sisters, Helen (Hugo) Leider of Duluth, Kay (Jim) Bratsch of Lakeville & Carol Waters of Mesa, AZ. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Danny in 1979.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. Fr. James Holl and Fr. George Grafsky will Con-celebrate. Interment, with military honors by the Le Sueur Honor Guard will be in the Church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.