CHERYL KAY O’NEAL

January 02, 2026

Cheryl Kay O’Neal, age 80, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away on December 29, 2025.

Cheryl was born January 29, 1945, in Barton County, Missouri, to Emmett Henry Clements and Ina Gertrude (Onstott) Clements. She graduated from Jasper High School with the class of 1962. On March 23, 1963, she married Dean Kneale in Oakton. He preceded her in death in 1982. Cheryl later married Tony O’Neal on October 11, 1986, and he also preceded her in death in 2005.

Cheryl worked several years at Schreiber Foods in Carthage and also managed the family farm until her retirement. She loved farm life, especially raising cattle, and for several years she grew and sold pumpkins. Cheryl enjoyed collecting antiques and had a passion for traveling.

Cheryl is survived by two daughters, Tauna (Tom) Frieden of Lamar, Missouri, and Misha (Steve) Smith of Jasper, Missouri; two sons, Greg (Lisa) O’Neal and Ron (Paula) O’Neal, all of Republic, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Jason (Molly) Frieden, Justin (Kaycia) Frieden, Payton (Lindsey) Smith, Regan Smith, Nathan (Julia) O’Neal, Allison (Tyler) Keatts, Hunter (Chloe) O’Neal, and Brady (Hannah) O’Neal and nine great-grandchildren, Emmett Frieden, Elsie Frieden, Karson Smith, Fallon O’Neal, Graham O’Neal, Hudson Keatts, Kason Keatts, Lennon Keatts, and Ellis O’Neal. She is also survived by one brother, Lyle (Janice) Clements of Jasper, Missouri, and one sister, Glenda Metcalf of Kansas City, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmett and Ina Clements; two husbands, Dean Kneale and Tony O’Neal; two infant sisters, Dixie Clements and LaRue Clements; and two sisters, Iris Jean Kingsbury and Myrna Clements.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2026, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar, Missouri. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery in Jasper, Missouri.

There will be no formal visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Paradise Cemetery or Wade Chapel Cemetery, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.