Neola Faye Barton O’Neal

Neola Faye Barton O’Neal passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 17, 1930, in Lucas, Kansas, to Dwight and Elva Barton. Neola attended Lucas schools and graduated in May 1948. That September, she married fellow Lucas native Gary L. Beliel, and together they traveled to Alaska and Germany as a military family. She was widowed in 1963.

Neola was blessed with three children: Dr. Steven Beliel (wife, Brenda) of Gordon, Nebraska; Linda Aye of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Teri Clark (husband, Steve) of Plano, Texas. In 1968, she found love again and married Jack O’Neal in Salina, Kansas, becoming a devoted stepmother to Jack’s three sons: Randy (wife, Terry) of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Ron O’Neal of Marquette, Kansas; and Robert (wife, Pam) of Hope, Kansas.

While raising her children, Neola pursued her passion for education and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kansas Wesleyan in 1968. She dedicated over two decades to teaching at Hawthorne Elementary in Salina, where she touched the lives of countless students. Neola loved making and collecting dolls, quilts, and other sewing projects. She took great pride in the blue ribbons she earned for her beautiful quilts. She and Jack shared 50 wonderful years together, enjoying travels across the United States in their camper.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack O’Neal, in 2018; her dear Aunt Sissy of Sylvan Grove; her sister, Joyce Snyder and husband, Duane of Salina; her sister, Carole Gier of Salina; her brothers, Keith and George of Lucas; her stepson, Randy O’Neal; and her grandchild, Jamie O’Neal of Lindsborg, Kansas.

Neola is survived by her son, two daughters, two stepsons, 15 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. She was especially close to her three nieces, Vicky, Donna, and Jeanne of Salina, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Neola’s wit and radiant smile will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church at 122 N 8th Street, Salina, Kansas at 10:00 am on Friday May 9th, 2025.

Memorials may be sent in care of Ryan Mortuary for the First United Methodist Church in memory of Jack and Neola O’Neal.

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