Monsignor James O’Neill
After recurrent illnesses and miraculous healings during his retirement years, Msgr. O’Neill went home to God on March 18, 2019.
Msgr. was born in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland to James and Jane (O’Sullivan) O’Neill on August 8, 1929, the ninth of thirteen children, the second boy.
Msgr. received his early education in the local schools and graduated from St. Fachnas High School, Skibbereen in June, 1948.
Following graduation, he entered St. John’s Seminary in Waterford to study for Priesthood and was ordained a priest at the Waterford Cathedral on June 17, 1954. It was his lifelong desire to serve as a missionary priest in an area of greatest need. He was accepted by the then bishop of Cheyenne, Bishop Newell, to serve the people of Wyoming.
In the years of his Priesthood Msgr. ministered to people at St.
Patrick’s, Kemmerer — Jackson: 1954-1955; St. Mary’s Cathedral, Cheyenne: 1955-1958 and 1964-1983; St. Joseph’s, Cheyenne: 1958-1959 and 1962-1964; Corpus Christi, Newcastle: 1959-1962; St. Anthony’s, Casper: 1983-1998; St. Patrick’s, Casper 1998 — until his final retirement.
Msgr. served as Vicar-General of the diocese, 1973-1994, under two bishops: Bishop Newell and Bishop Hart. He was named a Prelate of Honor to Pope Paul VI with the title Monsignor on February 20, 1974.
In his retirement years Msgr. ministered to the sick, the aged, and the shut-ins of Wyoming, northern Colorado, and eastern Nebraska by means of the Sunday TV Mass for fifteen years. He was named “Hidden Hero” by The Catholic Extension Society of America for his TV ministry.
Msgr. chaired the Diocesan Centennial Celebration the weekend of
August 8, 1987, attended by some 40 bishops from throughout thé United States, more than one hundred priests and religious, and five thousand people from Wyoming. He also chaired the Diocesan Synod — a three year process for the assessment of the pastoral needs of the Church in Wyoming. He retired in 1998 due to ill health and took up residence at St. Patrick’s.
Msgr. often said that he has been truly blessed by the very, very many good, holy, and saintly people whom he has met and whom he has been privileged to serve… that he has received so much more than he has given… that he is deeply indebted Bishop Newell, Bishop Hart, Bishop Ricken, Bishop Etienne and Bishop Steven for their goodness and for their confidence in him… that he is so very grateful, too, for his brother priests, deacons, religious, and all the good people that he has befriended. He said that he is grateful above all for his saintly parents and for his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and their families and for their strong support. Msgr. said that he has enjoyed being a priest.
Surviving Msgr. is one brother, Dan of New York; one sister, Sister Pauline, SM, Provincial of the Marist Sisters in England; 35 nieces and nephews; 70 grand-nieces and nephews; 9 great grand-nieces and nephews.
Msgr. was preceded in death by his good parents; three brothers — Patrick, Michael, and John; seven sisters — Ann Gair, Mary and Kitty O’Neill, Jean McGee, Eileen O’Driscoll, Peggie Kéohane, and Bridie Keane; two nieces and three nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 6-7 PM at St. Patrick’s, Casper followed by office of the Dead and Vigil Service. Funeral Mass will be Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s with most Reverend Bishop Steven Biegler DD STL, as Principal Celebrant and the priests of the diocese as concelebrants. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Msgr. may be made in care of your local parish to St. Joseph Society for Retired Priests; St. Anthony Tri-Parish School, Casper; Catholic Extension Society of America„ sponsor of the TV Mass. Reception will follow Funeral Services at St. Patrick’s Gym. All are welcome. Until we meet again, God bless you and thanks to all.
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Duane Arthur Honadel
Duane Arthur Honadel, age 60, passed away on March 17, 2019 in Casper, Wyoming. He was born on September 26, 1958 in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
By profession he became a welder. On September 1, 2007 he married Valerie Kay Munkres in Casper.
Duane enjoyed camping, fishing, muzzle loading, spending time with his grandkids, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie Honadel of Casper; sons, Toby Honadel of Casper, Todd Honadel of Star Valley, Wyoming; stepdaughters, Kacie and Kristi of Casper; mother, Clara Maxine Honadel of Glenrock, Wyoming; sisters, DeEtta Price of Douglas, Wyoming; Glenda Honadel of Glenrock, Wyoming; and brother, Bill Honadel of Montana.
Duane is preceded in death by his father, Glen Honadel of Glenrock, Wyoming.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Hope Church in Casper with Pastor Brad Kyle officiating. A reception will follow at 520 South Walnut in Casper.
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Donald E. Foster Sr.
Donald E. Foster Sr. was born in Colome South Dakota on 3/22/1933 to Nathan and Lila (Lovell) Foster. He died Sunday, March 17, 2019 in Casper, Wyoming after a long illness.
Donald served two years in the Army during the Korean War.
He married Norma Jean Boerner on May 31, 1953. They had six children, daughters, Joyce Furlong (Dave); and Mary Foster; four sons, Donald Jr., Michael (Diana), David W. (deceased), and Joseph (Sheila). He also has six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
In addition to his son David W he was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Norman and David E.
Donald was an insurance agent in Casper for 31 years.
At his request, there will be no service. Cremation has taken place.
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Tosca Pieretti Sullivan
Tosca Pieretti Sullivan, 88, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.
Tosca was born to Maria and Joseph Pieretti on December 22, 1930 in Carlin, Nevada. She graduated from Carlin High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada. She was married to John J. (Jack) Sullivan and lived in Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania before making their home in Casper, Wyoming. Tosca moved to Denver, Colorado in 2009 to be near her son and daughter-in-law.
Tosca was a substitute teacher and devoted mother. She served as trustee of St. Patrick’s Parish in Casper and was a very active member of that community. She also stayed involved in many community and volunteer activities. Tosca belonged to several organizations and clubs, including Geo Wives and the Casper Petroleum Club. She enjoyed tennis and ballroom dancing, was an avid cook and loved to travel.
Tosca is survived by her brother Dominek Pieretti of Carlin Nevada and her three children, Michael K. Sullivan of San Diego, California, Stephen J. Sullivan (wife Joan) of Foxfield, Colorado, and Patrice Sullivan Petry of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kathryn Sullivan Sweet, Elizabeth Sullivan, Erin Petry and Hannah Petry, and by four great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Denise Darrah, who was present with her at the end.
Tosca is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Maria Pieretti, and by her husband of 40 years, Jack Sullivan.
