Eleanor J. O'Neill

Eleanor J. O'Neill, 92, of Springfield, left her worldly home to go be with her family in glory at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009 with her children and grandchildren by her side at St. John's Hospital. Eleanor was born April 15, 1916 in Jacksonville, the daughter of William J. and Neta Mary McGlasson O'Neill, Sr.. Eleanor was employed as feature editor for the State Journal Register from 1939 to 1940. She then worked for the U.S. Government for one year and in 1942 she began working for Illinois Bell. She was a toll operator from 1942 to 1950, a senior clerk in network from 1950 to 1960, in management from 1960 to 1968 and worked as a clerk in network from 1968 to 1987 when she retired. Eleanor continued working full time as president of Communications Workers of America Local 4209 until her retirement in 1993. Eleanor was a member of the Legion of Mary; SFO, Catholic Daughters of America, Pioneers of Illinois Bell and CWA Local 4209 and Local 5008 for over forty years. She served on the executive board of Springfield Trade and Labor and was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She enjoyed going to Las Vegas and also the casino boats and especially spending time with her family. During her hospital stay she was always surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leo T. and William J., Jr. O'Neill; two sisters, Catherine Lloyd and Frances E. O'Neill; four daughters, Barbara L. Fletcher, Patricia A. Lloyd Albanese, Marilyn Lloyd Anderson and Shirley Lloyd Watson; and a grandson, Byron Patrick Lloyd. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Frances "Frani" (husband, James, "Duke") O'Neill DeRosa of Springfield; two sons, Byron (wife, Eleanor) Lloyd and William J. Lloyd both of Springfield; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; and several cousins. Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will end with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield with Rev. David J. Hoefler celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mark's Cemetery in Winchester, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.