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Dorothy Ann ONeill



"CADILLAC Dorothy Ann ONeill, longtime Cadillac resident, died Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at her home, surrounded by her husband, Jack and their seven sons and families. She was 86.

Mrs. ONeill was born June 18, 1915 to Anna K. (Brach) and Frank J. Kroth in Paw Paw. After attending Nazareth High School, she graduated in the Class of 1937, Magna Cum Laude, from St. Marys College in South Bend, Ind.

In 1939, she married Jack ONeill of Grand Rapids. The young couple moved to Cadillac, where Jack was the regional manager for Standard Oil and Dorothy worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. Turning down a promotion with Standard Oil which would have taken them to Chicago, the ONeills chose to stay in Cadillac and make it their permanent home.

During the last 60 years, Dorothy and Jack built two businesses in Cadillac, ONeills Ace Hardware in 1951 and ONeill Office Supplies in 1968. They retired in 1970 and have spent winters in Arizona and summers in Cadillac.

Mrs. ONeill was a faithful member of St. Ann Catholic Church for more than 60 years. She was an avid golfer and a member of the Cadillac Country Club, a voracious reader and an accomplished bridge player. Her many and varied interests, including her family, were world travel, plate collecting, rug hooking and investments.

Survivors include her husband, Jack; sons, Michael (Carol) of Cadillac, Dennis (Jeanne) of Wayne, Pa., Brian (Marcia) of Flushing, Timothy (Mary) of Cadillac, Regan (Kris) of Cadillac, Patrick (Dawn) of Northfield, Minn., and Kevin (Janie) of Peach Tree City, Ga.; two sisters; one brother; 24 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, one brother and one sister.

Services are noon Monday at St. Ann Catholic Church in Cadillac with Father Patrick T. Cawley and Father Francis J. Murphy officiated. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery immediately following the church service.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Petersons Funeral Home, with a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Ann School or the Mercy Hospital Improvement Fund."