O'NEILL, Peter Leo 'Pete' 1894 - 1980

ONEILL, MALONEY, FINNEY, GOODMAN, HOSKINSON, REECE, MAHONEY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 4/28/2012 at 14:36:17

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, January 9, 1980

P. L. O'NEILL, veteran factory executive dies

P.L. "Pete" O'NEILL, 511 E, Madison, retired Fairfield factory executive, died at 7:30 a.m. today at the Jefferson County Hospital following a long illness. He was 85.

Arrangements are pending at the Raymond Funeral Home.

O'NEILL had been closely associated with Fairfield industry for nearly 60 years. He began his local career at the Dexter Company in 1915, filling numerous assignments including those of general manager of the foundry and vice president.

He left the Dexter Company in 1955 and after service with the Centerville Foundry he was named executive vice president and general manager of the Iowa Malleable Iron Co. in 1957. He gave up active management of the company in 1969, but he continued his association with Iowa Malleable until 1974.

O'NEILL was born Nov. 1, 1894 in Macomb, Ill., the son of John and Julia MALONEY O'NEILL. He was married to Pauline (sic - Emma Pauline) FINNEY, who died July 31, 1956. He was later married to Jenny (sic - Jennie) GOODMAN, who survives.

Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Jean GOODMAN, Sarasota, Fla.; an brother, Bernard O'NEILL, New Orleans, La.; and a sister, Julia HOSKINSON, Woodward. He was preceded in death by an infant son (sic - twin infant children), two brothers and two sisters.

O'NEILL held offices in the Fairfield Manufacturers and Iowa Manufacturers Associations. He also served as a director of both state and national foundry organizations. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, American Legion, Elks, Knights of Columbus and Abracadabra.

A veteran of World War I, he headed the Jefferson County Selective Service Board during World War II.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 4th.116 with second wife Jennie, who died in 1988; his first wife is in Lot 3rd.173 at Evergreen. Jennie had been married to a Mr. GOODMAN previously, and her maiden name was REECE according to her obituary.

Pete's mother's maiden name is either MALONEY or MAHONEY; it can be found as MALONEY in Peter's obituary above, in the 1925 IA census for his sister Nelda, and in Nelda's obituary. It appears as MAHONEY in his sister Mary's obituary and the 1925 IA census for Peter. At this point it's not clear which is correct.