John William O'Neal

John William O’Neal, 80 years old, died at his home in Terre Haute, Indiana on Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was born in Washington, Indiana on December 25, 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine O’Neal, a sister, Eleanor O’Neal; niece Amy Weber; and brother-in-law Dr. Neil Sweigart. He is survived by his wife, Dale Ann of 50 years; son, John Ryan and fiancée, Samantha Koch; granddaughter, Katerina Alaina-Marie; brother Dr. Eugene O’Neal (Phyllis), and three sisters Margaret Ann Sweigart; Mary Catherine Weber (Larry); and Rose Ellen Dixon (Danny); Brother-in-law, Dennis; three nephews; three nieces and eleven great nieces and nephews.

John attended St. John Catholic School in Loogootee, Indiana, for twelve years, graduating in 1963. He graduated from Indiana State University in 1968 with an undergraduate degree in Biology and later a Master’s Degree in Science Education. He taught high school biology for five years and then completed a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Logan College in St. Louis, Missouri. John was a practicing chiropractor with his brother and partner, Eugene O’Neal for 35 years at O’Neal Clinic in Terre Haute, Indiana. He retired in 2009, and as a long-time critical thinker, he continued to study science, medical and alternative approaches to health care.

John loved all aspects of nature, especially trees, and planted them all over his property, and sometimes even in other people’s yards. After going through multiple layers of consent with Duke Energy, he planted pine trees along Hunt Street to block out the power station. Many are still standing. Each week he picked up the trash thrown on the road from his home to Old Maple, both sides. 

One of John’s favorite passions was driving by himself through the back roads of rural Indiana. He had a long-time interest in all makes and models of cars and could identify every one of them since the 1940’s, often just by looking at their headlights or rear fenders. He enjoyed all car auctions, especially the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival in Auburn, Indiana every Labor Day. Fredericksburg, Texas was a favorite vacation destination. John always had a vision of creating a new project to enhance his home and property; and supervised every builder, landscaper, painter, carpenter, grass mower, snow shoveler, and stick-picker upper with intense concentration.

John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a loyal friend. He was a faith-filled Catholic and long-time member of St. Patrick Church in Terre Haute. 

Visitation is scheduled for 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 13, 2025, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM at Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. Patrick Church. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

There are no words that can express how grateful we are to Dr. Vuppala Reddy, Dr. Manish Gera, Dr. Prashant Patel, Dr. Girish Kunapareddy, Dr. Zenith Jameria, Dr. Sheba Roy, Dr. Zachary Oaks, and Dr. Kenneth Ain at University of Kentucky for their extraordinary medical care; and to Paulette, Nathan, and Leslie at Bone and Joint Center, and to Karen from Hospice of the Wabash Valley.