James F. O'Neil, age 87, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died Friday, September 21, 2018 at Wynscape Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wheaton, Illinois. He was born October 4, 1930 in Chicago, IL.

Jim graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1948. After serving stateside in the Army during the Korean War, he graduated from The Illinois Institute of Technology in 1964 with a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. Jim worked for Illinois Bell/AT&T and retired after 35 years of dedicated service. After retirement, he became an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and served in many board positions including multiple terms as President throughout the 1990's and early 2000's. Jim was an active member of the Catholic Church especially at the parishes of Saint Giles in Oak Park, Saint Alexis in Bensenville, and Corpus Christi in Carol Stream. He served the Church as a Lector, Usher, Eucharistic Minister, Religious Education Teacher and board member.

He is survived by his 12 children, Debra (Kenneth) Chmara, Christy (Randy Palma) Kafka, Jim O'Neil, Patty (Michael) Vanhal, Kathleen (Michael) Lossau, Kevin (Shera) O'Neil, Chuck (Jean) Kafka, Andy O'Neil, Scott (Rebecca) Kafka, Lisa Williams, Ann Marie (Dave) Coomer and Melissa (Brad) Schoo; 26 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary McGarvey and Kathleen Keough; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sybil O'Neil; his first wife, Mary O'Neil, nee Keown; his second wife, Bernice Kafka O'Neil, nee Egan; and his sister, Diane Noreen.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N Main St, in Wheaton followed by a funeral Mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church , 1415 W Lies Road, in Carol Stream at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Pioneers at pioneersvolunteer.org .