A Funeral Service for Charles L. O'Neill, Jr, 95, of Uncertain, Texas will be held in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home Monday, October 10, 2016 at 2:00p.m. Interment will immediately follow the service in Andrews Cemetery, Karnack, Texas. Visitation with family and friends will take place Sunday, October 09, 2016 at Downs Funeral Home from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Mr. O'Neill passed away Thursday, October 06, 2016 at his home.

Charles L. O'Neill, Jr. was born March 19, 1921 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Charles and "Bea" Broom O'Neill. Charles graduated from Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1940. On July 03, 1940 he enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard, nationalized January 1941, 204 CAAA. He was a military man, dedicated to serving the United States of America. His military service, accomplishments, and honors are something to be admired.

In 1941 he entered Radar School; 1942, he joined the 118 th Aircraft Battalion; July 1943 he entered Parachute School; August of 1943 was the beginning of many missions including, the 541 st Parachute Infantry 11 th Airborne, 201 st Coast Arty, 1 st Battalion C Company, and the 502 nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. During this time he earned and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and two Purple Hearts. His unit decorations include: Netherlands and Dutch Gold Lanyards, Prince Porterage, Dutch Porterage, Orange Lanyard, Glider Badge and Parachute Badge.

In September of 1944, he was among waves of paratroopers dropped into Holland, Operation Market Garden, as a Sniper with nine confirmed kills. Campaigns included Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Coreteule, as well as the Battle of Bastogne as part of the larger Battle of the Bulge while a member of the 101 st Airborne. Medals, badges and citations earned and awarded during these campaigns include: Louisiana National Guard Medal, Bronze Star with 1 Oak Leaf, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4 stars), Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, Army Expert Marksmanship Badge, Bayonet, Tank Weapons, US Army Wheat Small Bore Rifle Marksmanship Shooting Badge, Coast Arty and Sharpshooter and the Army Occupation Medal (Germany).

Charles L. O'Neill, Jr., served his country with pride, honor and dignity. He was honorably discharged on December 04, 1945.

After hard years serving in World War II Charles O'Neill returned home to his family and a country proud to have him. On April 27, 1946 he married the love of his life, Johnnie Raus. Together they raised six children, Mike, Patricia, Carolyn, Kathleen, Lois and Michelle. He furthered his education attending Centenary College. To provide for their family, Charles worked many jobs. He was a motorcycle officer for the city of Shreveport, a derrick hand in the oil field, a pipe fitter for Firestone Tire and Rubber, pipe fitter for Thiokol Ammunition Plant, as a pipe fitter building Missile Silos in Nebraska and Colorado, worked on the Alaskan Pipeline, and for the Arkansas Ammunitions Plant. He later served as a Business Manager of the Local 301 Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Union, as President of the Talon Chapter for the 101 st Airborne for more than 20 years all before retiring in 1985. Locally Mr. O'Neill was a member of the Marshall Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rites, and a member of The Church of Uncertain.

Surviving Mr. O'Neill is his wife of 70 years, Mrs. Johnnie Raus O'Neill; children, Patricia Ellis of Marshall, Carolyn O'Neill of Tyler, Kathleen Peterson of China Springs, Lois Jordan of Panama City Beach, Florida and Toni Michelle O'Neill of Marshall. Other survivors include his sister, Gladys Lucille O'Neill of Marshall; grandchildren, Cindy Smith of Longview, Eric O'Neill of Hallsville, Christopher Jordan of Panama City Beach, Florida, Cole O'Neill of Marshall; great-grandchild, Jayden Smith of Longview