O’Neal, Beth C., 60, July 2, 2015. Interment held in the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Limestone. Arrangements by Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
LIMESTONE – Beth C. O’Neal, 60, wife of Brent H. O’Neal, passed away Thursday morning, July 2, 2015, at her Limestone home, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 17, 1954, in Longview, WA, the daughter of Jackson and Shirley (Thomas) Wertman.
Following her high school graduation, Beth attended Washington State University and Western Washington University, where she received a Bachelors degree in education. She was married to Brent H. O’Neal on August 27, 1983, and worked as a schoolteacher at the Pre-K, Kindergarten and first grade levels at Damon Elementary School, Loring AFB, Teague Park and Hilltop Elementary Schools, Caribou, and the Limestone Elementary School. Beth was a member of the National Education Association, the Maine Education Association, the Aroostook County Retired Teachers Association, and was a communicant of the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Louis Catholic Church, Limestone. Beth truly loved everyone unconditionally, regardless of race, creed or status, and showed true interest and genuine concern for everyone she met. People that were important to her family became important to her, and her home became a haven for many, many people, from her children’s friends to players on Brent’s sports teams. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to so many. Beth also leaves behind a legacy as a gifted and dedicated educator and mentor to many students and fellow teachers whom she had met over the years. She always gave 100 percent of herself and was the last teacher in the Caribou School System to do Pre-K home visits. Her family is so very thankful for the blessings and support from Beth’s family and friends in the Limestone and Caribou areas and beyond. She was truly loved from coast to coast.
Beth was predeceased by her father, Jackson Wertman, and is survived by her mother, Shirley Wertman of Woodland, WA; her husband of nearly 32 years, Brent H. O’Neal of Limestone; one son, Second Lieutenant Ryan O’Neal and his wife, Crystal, of Fort Sill, Lawton, OK; one daughter, Emily O’Neal of Caribou; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Barbara Wertman of Renton, WA, Scott and Lyn Wertman of Bellevue, WA; one sister, Teri Jeffress of Palmer, AK; one grandson, Gavin O’Neal of Fort Sill, Lawton, OK. Beth also cherished her nieces and nephews and their spouses, Jonathan and Shontrana Wertman of Maple Valley, WA, Austin Wertman and Brady Wertman, both of Bellevue, WA, Sara and Gage Saxton of Palmer, AK, Kayla Jeffress of Barrow, AK, Tina and David Leighton of Lewiston, Craig and Grace O’Neal of Limestone, Melissa O’Neal of Manchester, Adam O’Neal of Augusta, Amanda and Jim West, Matthew Brooker, all of Limestone, Ashley Brooker and her companion Lee DeLong of Charleston, SC, Mandi Mickelsen and Marcus Mickelsen, both of Sammamish, WA; great-nieces and nephews, Seth, Sam, Connor, Max, Margaret, Cora, Tanner, Elsie and Kamron. Beth also leaves behind in-laws, Gary and Valerie O’Neal, Diane and Stephen Brooker, all of Limestone, and Terry and Vicki O’Neal of Manchester; and many, many friends, too numerous to list.
Beth’s family extends their sincere gratitude to the T.A.M.C. family, Cancer Care Centers of America, Professional Home Nursing, and Hospice of Aroostook, especially to Ruth Collins.
Friends called Monday, July 6, 2015, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Louis Catholic Church, Limestone with Fr. Kyle Doustou, celebrant. Interment followed at the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Limestone. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held in the church reception area following the interment. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Beth to C-A-N-C-E-R, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, Maine 04769. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.giberondorseyfuneral home.com.
