WESSINGTON — Duane E. O’Neal, 70, of Wessington, passed away Monday, December 4, 2017, peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Wessington. 
His memorial service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, December 9, at Kuhler Funeral Home in Huron. Burial following the service will be in the Wessington Cemetery. A lunch will be served at the Presbyterian Church in Wessington after the burial. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Kuhler Funeral Home with his family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening. 
Duane Eldon O’Neal was born to William Ezra and Alice (McBride) O’Neal at Huron, March 9, 1947. He graduated from Wessington High School. He served as a Sniper in the United States Army during Vietnam.  
On May 3, 1971, he married the love of his life, Debra “Dolly” J. August. Following their marriage they lived in Wessington until 1975, and then they lived in Wyoming, New Mexico and Michigan for Duane’s mining career, making friends everywhere they went. They returned to their “home” at Wessington and started a business, Western Pump & Equipment with Kirk Diekhoff. Duane continued to work with Deb until his retirement in 2007. Duane loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed his horses, when he had them, and was a true cowboy at heart. Duane’s door was always open and he always greeted family and friends with a smile. His motto was “Every Day is a Holiday” and this is how he lived his life. He will be truly missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Kimberly Dawn who lived only four days; his wife, Debra; one sister, Carol Vanderwaal; one brother, William O’Neal; two brothers-in-law, John Vanderwaal and Carl Franklin August; and one grandson, Shawn Penner.
Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Jeremy (Amber) O’Neal of Titusville, Fla., Brandi (Jeremy) Olson of Lake Preston, Alicia O’Neal (Mike Koeck) of Miller and Traci (Steve) Penner of Lakeville, Minn.; his grandchildren, Aydan, Liam, and Declan O’Neal and one on the way, Christa and Jonathon Sievers, Elijah and Isaac Olson, Alicen, Greyson and  Jocelyn Koeck, Jessi (James) Zalesky, Joshua Langdon, and Ashley Penner; two brothers, Darold (Jean) O’Neal of Rapid City and Lyle (LaVonne) O’Neal of Andover, Minn.; one sister, Margaret (Bernie) Kemper of Aitkin, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Carla (Rod) Simons of Clarksville, Tenn., and Christine (Larry) Kelly of Pittville, Calif.; and his great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and all his friends and neighbors.
Visit www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com
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