Vernon L. O'Neil

AITKIN -- Vernon Lee O'Neil, 71, Aitkin, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at VA Medical Center of Minneapolis.

He was born Feb. 1, 1929, in Brainerd to Percy and Myrtle (Reem) O'Neil. He graduated from Aitkin High School in 1946. He worked for a time for Weyerhauser Co. in St. Paul and he also logged for a time in the Aitkin area. He then served in the Army during the Korean War. After his discharge, he returned to Minnesota and worked for Bismanns Machine Shop in Osseo. He married Mildred J. Lubovich on April 24, 1964, in Millbank, S.D. They moved to the Aitkin area in 1967. He worked as a launch driver on Mille Lacs Lake, operated the hotel in Garrison for a number of years and worked as a dredge operator in Breezy Point. He had served as a policeman for the city of Garrison for several years and also did maintenance for the Blue Goose for many years. He also logged in the area for many years. He was a member of the Ironton American Legion Post.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Jolynne Zimmerman, Ham Lake, Sharon Reese, Aitkin, Michelle Pisarek, Aitkin, and Karen Swanson, Deer River; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill O'Neil, Isanti, and Roger O'Neil, Brainerd; and three sisters, Sarah Rood, Aitkin, Lila Leger, Deerwood, and Peggy Palm, Brainerd.

His parents and a grandson died earlier.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home of Aitkin. Burial will be in Bennettville Cemetery with military honors provided by Ironton American Legion Post.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home of Aitkin and from 9-11 a.m. Friday.