John O'Neal

John O'Neal, 85, of Granite Falls passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Granite Falls Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00 am at St Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 to 7:00 pm at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

John Albert O’Neal was born on April 23, 1940 in Minneota to John & Margaret (McMahon) O’Neal. He was baptized at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Minneota. He attended Catholic school in Minneota until the family moved to Tyler. He graduated from Tyler High School in 1958. He attended college at South Dakota State University and Mankato State University. In August of 1962, he joined the U.S. Army where he served in Sacramento, CA and Thule, Greenland. He was formally discharged in 1964. On October 30, 1965 John was united in marriage to Elaine Marie Van Keulen at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. They made their home in Granite Falls and enjoyed 57 years of marriage together. He started working for Rodger’s Hydraulic (Later Victor Fluid Power) until 1994. John then worked for Southwest Human Services, in Marshall for Lyon county, before retiring in 2006, then working part time until 2023.

John loved sports. He played basketball and was part of the Nook & Cranny softball team until he was in his 40’s. He also enjoyed watching Minnesota sports and attended Game 7 of the World Series with his son Ben, where the Twins won. He was always waiting for springtime when he could begin planting his flowers. John was an avid gardener and kept a pristine lawn for most of his life. He loved traveling with his family and gave them all an adventurous spirit. They went to Disney World many times, all over the west, and southwest USA. In later years, he took memorable bus trips with his wife Elaine and even journeyed to Ireland, which was a special trip for him because of his proud Irish heritage. For his last trip, he and his brother Steve went out to Wyoming and enjoyed treasured time together. John loved to read, and you could always find him with a book nearby. His family will remember him most for his sense of humor, coining of the word "hoy", and spontaneous road trips.

John is survived by his daughters Lori (Brian) Schindele of Granite Falls, Lisa (Marc) Hewitt of Brooklyn Park, Erin (Dan) Korstad of Shiloh, Illinois, and Megan (Chris) Canatsey of Granite Falls. Grandchildren Courtney (Zach) Buseman, Lucas Schindele, Nicholas Schindele, Bradley Hewitt, Drew Hewitt, Sydney Korstad, Lyndsey Korstad, Brayden Korstad, Talan Canatsey, Holden Canatsey, and Harper Canatsey. And one great-grandchild, Brynlee Buseman. Brothers Don (Jean) O’Neal, Steve (Marlys) O’Neal and sister Cathie Aunoien. And many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his wife Elaine, son Brendan, grandson John, parents John and Margaret, in-laws Hubert and Anna Van Keulen, brother Pat O’Neal.