Lelia Virginia O'Neill

Lelia Virginia O'Neill 103 passed away March 19, 2018 at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab in Taylor Springs. She was born on a farm outside Irving, Illinois on October 11, 1914 to parents Jesse D. and Lelia (Cruze) Weller. She had one brother, Clyde Donald, who died in 1983. She was a direct descendent of two of Montgomery County's earliest settler families, the Wellers and the Bosts.

The family moved into Irving, where Virginia attended school through the three years of Irving High School, and then moved to Hillsboro where she graduated from Hillsboro High School with the Class of 1933. She attended Carthage College and then worked for many years in the Weller family grocery store on Main Street in Hillsboro.

She married James O'Neill on December 27, 1943 at St. Agnes in Hillsboro, and continued working in the grocery store until their first son was born, after which she stayed at home. She later worked at the Montgomery Country Tuberculosis Office for many years, until retirement in 1979.

She and her husband were married for more than 46 years when he died on March 14, 1990. They were both very involved in many activities for their sons, including scouts, PTA and other school activities, Little League baseball, and others. She was also a member of the Hillsboro Women's Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a volunteer for many charitable activities, including Hillsboro Hospital, Hillsboro Public Library, Meals on Wheels, St. Agnes Altar and Rosary Society, and others.

Survivors include sons James, Jr. of Hillsboro and William (Lisa) of Glendale, Missouri; grandchildren Sarah Bailey of Noblesville, Indiana; Conor O'Neill of Warrenton, Virginia; Mary O'Neill of Santa Clara, California; and Brigid O'Neill of Glendale, Missouri; and great-grandchildren Alexander, Calum, and Brenna Bailey of Noblesville, Indiana.

In addition to her parents, brother, and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Suzanne O'Neill, and her cousins Ivan Lingle and Ada Merritt.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hillsboro Hospital or Hillsboro Public Library.

Funeral mass will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 24, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Fr. Dan Willenborg officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until service time on Saturday at Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Hillsboro.

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