Dr. John R. O'Neal, 96, of Columbus, Nebraska, formerly of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 27 at 10:30 AM, at New Zion Presbyterian Church in Clarkson with Pastor Susan Reichenburg and Pastor Earl Underwood officiating the service.  Interment will be in Clarkson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM and continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time, both at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the Clarkson Fire & Rescue or the Clarkson Opera House.

John Robert O’Neal was born July 31, 1929, to Myrdeth and Lelia (Luther) O’Neal at his grandmother's home in Columbus. He graduated in 1947 from Kramer High School in Columbus as a National Merit Scholar. Following graduation, he attended the University of Nebraska/Lincoln, UNMC School of Medicine and completed his family practice internship in Lima, Ohio. John was an exceptionally gifted pianist and as a teenager had a multitude of piano students and continued during his college days, traveling back to Columbus on the weekends to teach piano. Beginning in his teenage years and continuing well into adulthood, John also played the organ at the Episcopal churches in Columbus and Schuyler. He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard while attending college.

On Sunday, June 21, 1953, John married Ruth Ann Husak at the New Zion Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with two children, John Robert II and Kathleen Marie. The couple moved to Clarkson in 1956 and lived a brief time with Ruth’s mother, Anna Husak, before purchasing their home at 516 Maple Street which they continued to live in until August 2023 when they moved to Meridian Gardens in Columbus. John and Ruth celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in 2026.

In 1955, the community of Clarkson, namely business owners J.L. Jindra, Clarence Moore, John Roether, Walter Hahn and Rudy Rosicky, came together to provide financial support in order to establish Dr. O’Neal’s medical practice building in downtown Clarkson. Dr. O’Neal never forgot the generosity of those business owners and the community as he continued his Family Medicine practice. He was one of very few individuals who were licensed both as a Medical Doctor and Pharmacist in the State of Nebraska. Dr. O’Neal retired at the age of 73, only to return to the practice shortly thereafter, as the replacement physician decided to leave the area. He continued to practice until they were able to find a replacement. He was always adamant that he learned as much from his patients as he did from his professors. Many of his patients continued to consult him long after he retired from practice and he carried them in his heart always.

During his lifetime in Clarkson, Dr. O’Neal was a member of the following organizations: Clarkson Lions Club, Clarkson Commercial Club, Clarkson Bank Board, Clarkson Housing Authority, Clarkson Board of Education (25+ years), Schuyler Memorial Hospital Board, CHI Hospital Board, Clarkson Nursing Home Development Board, Columbus Friends of Music Board. He was the recipient of many awards and recognitions for his community and professional service throughout his lifetime.

In his free moments, John enjoyed fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada with his family and close friends, trips abroad with his “bride”, Nebraska Cornhusker football trips, the Wisner Table Tennis club, Cornhusker State Games, New York Yankees baseball, playing Bridge, and teaching piano to his children and other individuals. He also had a deep appreciation of local ownership of farmland in Nebraska and was an avid follower of the stock market.

John was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

John is survived by:
Wife: Ruth (Husak) O’Neal
Son: John Robert O’Neal II
Daughter: Kathleen Kruse
Grandchildren: Megan Rathke (Jim Kodad), Blake (Brooke) Kruse, and Lance Kruse
Great grandchildren: Kreyton, Brogan and Krofton Kruse
Sister-in-law: Shirley Hamernik
Nephews and Niece: Tom (Paula) Hamernik, Chuck (Pam) Hamernik, Mike (Jenny) Hamernik, Michael (Sylvia) Smith, and Lelia DeLand

John was preceded in death by:
Parents: Myrdeth and Lelia O’Neal
In-Laws: Frank and Anna Husak
Sister: Sally O’Neal Smith and her husband Burdette
Brothers-in-law: Frank Husak and his wife Mary and Harlan Hamernik
Many, many treasured family members, friends and professional associates