Robert Lynn O'Neil Sr.

MACON – Robert Lynn O’Neil, 74, died Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at his residence. Funeral services with full military honors were held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Georgia Veterans Memorial Gardens, Milledgeville with burial in Georgia Veterans Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Fred Anderson and the Rev. Troy Dykes officiated.

Mr. O’Neil, a native of Waterloo, NY, was the son of the late Edward Wesley and Mildred Anna Marsh O’Neil. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954 and became an Aircraft Mechanic retiring in 1976 as an E-7 Aircraft Maintenance Instructor/Supervisor with the rank of M/Sgt. He attended Vernon Regional Community College, Vernon, TX earning an Associate Degree in Aerospace Management. Mr. O’Neil was a four-time past president with the Dixie Aeromasters, a Radio Control Club and was responsible for establishing the club as a Gold Leader Club, the highest award a club can receive for community service.

Moving to Georgia in 1981, he found his “Georgia Peach of a Princess” and they were married in September 1985. Mr. O’Neil was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he cherished his position of Children’s Greeter for many years and known to them as “Mr. Bob.” He was a member of the Joyful Believers Sunday School Class. Bob loved his family, his Lord, his church family and model airplanes, sharing with folks that his most prominent desire was to “go to Heaven in a P-51 Mustang and be Jesus’ Crew Chief.”

Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Lamb O’Neil of Macon; his son, Robert Lynn O’Neil, Jr. of Fountain, CO; his daughters, Kimberly Ann O’Neil of Greeley, Co and Kathleen Marie O’Neil of Santa Fe, NM; his stepson, Randall Keith Kitchens of Macon; his stepdaughter, Sheila Rene Jones of Byron; his brother, Milton Edward O’Neil of Mishawaka, IN; his sisters, Mary Davis of Wenatchee, WA and Joyce Rinker of Rochester, IN; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Pio Nono Avenue had charge of arrangements.