James (Jimmie) Horace O’Neill, age 86, passed away on April 8, 2016. He was born March 15, 1930 in Cody NE to James and Mildred (Wallingford) O’Neill. Jimmie lived with his parents on their ranch in western Todd County with his younger brother Dean.

His grade school years were completed at the Peterson School in western Todd County and his first 2 years of high school in Cody and Martin. He attended South Dakota School of Agriculture in Brookings his junior year where he boxed and received the Golden Glove Award. He returned to Bennett County High School to play football and graduate in 1948.

Growing up, his family attended the Vetal Presbyterian Church. He started farming when he was 18 by leasing land in western Todd County. Jimmie played baseball with his good friends Wendell Johnson, Gordon Pisha, Johnny Lawler, brother Dean and others. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes.

He met his wife of 62 years; Martha Risse; through Wendell & Elsie Johnson. Jimmie and Martha were married on June 10, 1953. They lived in a one room house on his parent’s ranch with their first child, Dan, who was born in 1955. They purchased the Haag place just south of Harrington in Bennett County where they raised 3 more children: Peggy, Ann and Katie. They ranched and farmed, working with Jimmie’s Uncle Clarence and had the first center pivot irrigation in eastern Bennett County. Jimmie and Martha lived on the home ranch for 51 years before moving to Martin in 2007. Jimmie continued ranching with his son Dan and grandson James and drove out to the ranch almost daily.

He supported his community through participation on the Vetal Volunteer Fire Dept., South Dakota Wheat Board, Bennett Co. Board of Commissioners and Coop Board. He was a member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. His favorite past time was fishing with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jimmie’s generosity, kindness and mild mannered personality will be missed by all who knew him.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Martha (Risse) O’Neill; brother, Orville Dean O’Neill (Judy) of Cody, NE and Aunt Alyce Engelen of Forest Grove, OR. Children: Dan (Vera) O’Neill of Vetal; Peggy (Duane) Casavan of Stickney, SD; Ann Harris of Martin; Katie (Paul) Naasz of Chatham, MI. Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: James (Abby) O’Neill, Rush, Reagan, Peyson, Jade & Knox; Wendy (Jeff)Adamson, Ainsley & Taycee; Heather (Kalen) Harris, Jace, Harley & Kade; Maggie (Tate) Thompson, Tilden, Riley & Cyrus; Amy O’Neill; John O’Neill & fiancé Allie Millard; Joseph Casavan, Brigitte (Cale) Setness & Becks; Amanda Casavan & Halla Jo; Lindsee Harris, Marcus, Jared & Ethan; Sarah Harris; Nikki Harris & Alex Christensen; Jennifer Naasz, Jake Naasz.

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