Frances O’Neil

CHINOOK Frances Frannie ONeil, 86, a lifelong resident of the Peninsula, died May 17, 2013, in Chinook. The eldest child of William and Edith (Lundquist) Winn, she was born Nov. 9, 1926, in Astoria. Soon after her birth the family moved to Nahcotta. There she attended school until the building burned; finishing her elementary education in Ocean Park. Frances was a 1945 graduate of Ilwaco High School.

During high school and following graduation she worked at Reds Sandwich Shop (later known as The Siberrian) in downtown Long Beach and later at Marshs Café. It was during this time that she and the late Cis Bittner traveled around the Northwest with the worlds largest frying pan promoting the Peninsula and the Long Beach Clam Festival.

On Oct. 15, 1948, she married Wayne ONeil whom she met while a member of the rodeo court. Waynes father, Jimmie, was publisher of the Chinook Observer and for the ensuing years both worked side-by-side with Jimmie and Lee Marsh in publishing the paper. Frances was the proofreader and social editor among numerous other duties. Wayne and Frances took over sole operation of the paper in 1963, selling in 1984. The ONeils retained ownership of Midway Printery. During the 1960s Frances also worked as a checker at Sids Market.

For many years Frances was active in Ocean Beach Rebekahs No. 313, serving in various capacities including as Noble Grand twice. A member of the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Frances also for many years answered the phone and was the off hours dispatcher for the Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department. In past years she was a Cub Scout leader and Sunday school teacher at Long Beach Presbyterian Church. Among her numerous community endeavors were volunteering for many, many years with the Kite Festival, Jazz Festival, Loyalty Day and Beach Run. She was an avid golfer; bowled for over 60 years, including sponsorship of the Midway Printery team, hosted numerous bunco parties, and enjoyed trips to Reno where she always had a grand time. In her later years Frannie found great enjoyment from her great-grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her son, Dan, of Ilwaco; daughter, Peggy (Randy) Mathena of Colville; grandchildren Josh ONeil, Heather Varila, Carly (Michael Wahler) Mathena and Sarah (Matt) Miller; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Roberta Werts of Olympia and Lucille Gove of Yakima; and her brothers, Bill Winn of Astoria and Chuck Winn of Long Beach. Her husband Wayne died in 1998.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m., at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. A reception follows in the social hall. Family graveside rites follow at Lone Fir Cemetery, Long Beach. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Lone Fir Cemetery Association in care of Penttilas Chapel, P.O. Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631.