John Rydehn O’Neill, a resident of Lineville, Alabama, passed away at Anniston Health and Rehab in Anniston, AL on December 18, 2020 after a long battle with cancer.
John is a retired Lt. Colonel from the Air Force (Communications and Information Systems) and is a Vietnam War Veteran.
He was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on September 3, 1940. He attended Fordham University in New York (B.S. Electronics) and Troy State University at Montgomery (M.S. Counseling).
While stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, he met his wife, Sue Burdette. They were married in December of 1977. He retired from the USAF in December 1987 and then served as Executive Director for the Montgomery Area Council on Aging.
In 1992, he and Sue moved to Lineville, Sue’s hometown. John was very active in community affairs and served on the Lineville Industrial Board for a number of years. He also served on the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission and was a member of the Military Officers Association of America.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Burdette O’Neill (Lineville); sister Patricia Deering (CT) and step-sister, Dr. Abigail Hagler (AZ); son David O’Neill (CA) and Daughter Jennifer O’Neill Jackson (FL), five grandchildren, two nieces, three nephews, and a number of great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Arthur O’Neill and Lillian Bertha Rydehn O’Neill, stepmother Mary O’Neill, and stepsister Nancy Erin Baroni.
A private graveside service and burial will be held at Lineville City Cemetery.
Send online condolences to benefieldfuneralhome.com
Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville is in charge of arrangements.
