Wayne O'Neill

Wayne #8220;Red#8221; O#8217;Neill, 99, Bozeman MT, passed away November 21, 2011 after a brief hospital stay. Wayne was born May 9, 1912 in Folsom SD to Fritz Lola (Caple) O#8217;Neill and was raised on their family ranch in the area; attending rural schools and Rapid City schools with his 6 brothers. His early years were not only spent helping on his parent#8217;s ranch, but working for other ranchers in the area. Wayne married Helen Meyer on September 19, 1941 in Sundance WY and lived on a ranch on Lower Spring Creek Road for several years before moving near Hermosa, SD to ranch (43 years). As a side line, he was the area brand inspector for 25 years. Wayne had been a resident of Custer County most of his life until he Helen retired from ranching and moved to Rapid City in 1992. In January 2011, he moved to Bozeman MT to be near his son and daughter. Wayne was a 59-year member and Worthy Master (1956) of Battle River Lodge #92, Hermosa SD; a 59-year member of the Eastern Star #142, Hermosa SD; a 30-year member of Naja Shriners, Deadwood SD; a member of the Hermosa volunteer Fire Dept; and a long standing member of the Hermosa Congregational Church; plus he was a very active volunteer and good neighbor in the Hermosa community. His past enjoyments were ranching, fishing, hunting, building wooden porch swings and in his most recent years, his passion was putting together #8220;many#8221; puzzles for all to enjoy. Wayne will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter Judy Germany and son-in-law Woody of Missoula MT; his son Terry O#8217;Neill and daughter-in-law Wendy of Bozeman MT; his grandson Jason Germany and granddaughter-in-law Aimee of Eugene OR, and his brother Ralph O#8217;Neill, Custer SD, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all who were very important to him. Preceding him in death were his wife, Helen; his grandson, Troy; his 5 brothers #8211; Walter, Owen, Marion, Francis Loren; and his parents, Fritz Lola. In lieu of a memorial service, #8220;Red#8221; requests you remember him by giving either to the Battle River Lodge #92, PO Box 392, Hermosa, SD 57744 or the Hermosa Congregational Church, PO Box 265, Hermosa, SD 57744. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread by his immediate family at a later date in South Dakota. Our family was very blessed and will miss him dearly.