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John Louis O’Neill, 90

| June 18, 2021 1:00 AM

Beloved husband and one in a million Dad passed away June 13, 2021, in Spokane, Wash. John was born in 1930 in Philadelphia, Pa., to Irish immigrants Felix and Elizabeth (Small) OʼNeill.

He relocated to Spokane due to the Korean War in 1953 and served at Fairchild Air Force Base. John graduated from North Idaho Jr. College in 1954 and attended Gonzaga School of Law.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Bernice; and son Daniel. They raised seven children in the Spokane Valley: Mary (Dean), Daniel, Patrick, Colleen, Anne (Lee), Thomas and Catherine (John); 14 grandchildren Meghan, Paul, Claire, Erin, Ryan, Michelle, Jenny, Sean, Nicholas, Kellen, Patrick, Rose, Olivia and Lucy; and soon to be five great-grandchildren Danny, Luke, Maddie and Ava. John was also preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth and stepmother Frances; his father, Felix; brothers Donald, Paul, Bob, (Felix) Frank and Thomas; and his sister, Elizabeth.

He is survived by his sisters, Eileen and Peggy; and his brother, Rev Fr. Patrick OʼNeill.

John was a lifelong Catholic whose love and devotion to the Traditional Latin Mass and practice of his Catholic Faith were his dearest possessions. Attending daily Mass was his favorite pastime. He was a founding member of Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls. Dad traveled the world and visited all five major Marian shrines many times. His Irish wit and charm were unforgettable and his “top of the morning” greetings defined his lifelong spirit of joy and positivity.

Despite the crosses of life, his deep gratitude for all his many blessings was one of his greatest attributes. Our dad knew a little bit about everything and was a wealth of information. He owned several businesses in the Coeur dʼAlene area for more than 50 years. He was a salesman, working at times in insurance, real estate and international commercial laundry sales.

It was wonderful to see our father find love again at age 80, with his high school sweetheart, Jean Day. Their time was spent traveling and walking the beaches of Florida, along with their faithful dog, Chuck. They shared four loving years together before her passing.

Dad, we thank you for the great life you gave us, for your sense of humor and life lessons. Your example of generosity will live on, as well as bestowing the Catholic Faith so strongly on our family. May God keep you in the palm of His hand until we meet again. May you truly have made it to heaven 30 minutes before the devil knew you were dead. And Dad, you were right: “it truly has been a wonderful life.”

Visitation for John will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2021, with rosary at 4 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Solemn Requiem Mass at 2 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Church, 614 E. Fifth Ave., Post Falls, Idaho, with burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carmelite Convent of the Holy Trinity, 4027 S. Wilbur Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Stories or memories can be shared at divinemercyhouse@gmail.com.

Arrangements provided by Yates Funeral Home.

Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

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O’Neill