April 5, 1939 – November 2, 2025
Patrick Jerry O’Neill, age 86, of Clear Lake, IA died on November 2, 2025 after a hard fought battle with Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave N., Clear Lake, IA 50428. A Catholic Scriptural Wake will follow at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave S., Clear Lake, IA 50428. Inurnment will take place at Clear Lake Cemetery at a later date.
Jerry was born in Mason City, IA on April 5, 1939 to Donald and G. Dolores O’Neill. Jerry was the 4th generation of O’Neill’s who lived in Clear Lake, IA. He also descended from early pioneers (Joseph Stork) of the Ventura area and Michael McGruder of Britt, IA, and John Burke of Clermont, IA. He was baptized at St. Patrick Catholic Church and grew up at the lake, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1957. He served in the US Navy on the U.S.S. Essex aircraft carrier before finishing his bachelor’s degree at Buena Vista in Storm Lake, IA. Jerry married Sharon Marie Lansing on April 24, 1965 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. They raised their family in Mason City before retiring at Clear Lake.
Jerry worked as a salesman of office business equipment, and later formed O’Neill Enterprises. He also was engaged in rental property management with his wife in Mason City.
Jerry loved to sit on the deck and watch the changing of the seasons from the South Shore. He was a skillful sailor, and interested in all things aviation, which inspired his son, Patrick, to become a pilot. He supported his kids in their athletic activities and games. He was especially interested in WWII history and aircraft. A significant highlight was volunteering with the Collings Foundation as support crew on a B17 bomber, flying up the California coast. He had the gift of playing music by ear, including the guitar, banjo and piano. He was a member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions Club and the Clear Lake Historical Society. Jerry loved chocolate ice cream and his blood type reflected his outlook on life: “B positive.” Jerry was a man of deep but quiet faith, leading by example.
One of Jerry’s grandkids recently observed that Jerry lived “90 lives”. Through storytelling in his last weeks of life, Jerry relayed stories of hitchhiking, doing wheelies with his friend George while outrunning a train on a ‘55 Harley Davidson, and climbing the Clear Lake water tower with two college buddies.
Jerry taught us, and lived by the following prayer: “Thank you, dear Lord, for all of our blessings; Jesus I trust in Thee. Never let me be separated from Thee.”
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Donald O’Neill, and his mother, Dolores Burke O’Neill. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon, and his four children, Patrick (Heather) O’Neill of Ankeny, IA; Tim (Kim) O’Neill of Clive, IA; Tom (Leah) O’Neill of Mason City, IA; and Mary (Michael) McManus of Denver, CO. Jerry is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Matthew and Sean O’Neill; Aaron and Madison O’Neill; Keaton (Veronica), Margo and Ross O’Neill; Teresa, Catherine, Vincent and Dorothea McManus.
Known as “Wolfie” to his caretakers, the family wishes to extend deep gratitude to Fresenius Kidney Care, Mercy One, Oakwood Care Center and St. Croix Hospice.
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