Michael “Mike” O’Neil passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was not alone—he passed with his sisters, Sherill Roediger and Kimberly Schmitt, and brother-in-law Jim Schmitt by his side.
Mike was a gentle soul with a fierce love for animals and nature. An avid catch-and-release fisherman, he was known for his deep respect for wildlife and his careful handling of every fish he caught. In the last weeks of his life, sitting out on the deck each evening with his sister Kim, he shared how he had given up hunting because he simply couldn’t bear to harm animals anymore. His heart was tender, and cruelty to animals deeply upset him. Those moments revealed more of who he truly was—and Kim came to understand him more deeply than ever before.
Mike had a lifelong habit of rescuing strays—bringing animals home, helping them heal, and making sure they were loved, whether by him or by a new family. His love for creatures great and small never faded.
He was incredibly intelligent and could talk endlessly about science, space, animals, and geography. You could name a place anywhere in the world, and he’d tell you the most dangerous animal found there without hesitation. National Geographic magazines filled his shelves, and fishing shows on TV were his go-to comfort—even in his final days when he could barely stay awake.
Mike also loved football—especially the Bears—and found joy in the simplest things: watching raccoons cross the yard, listening to birds, and watching the little bunnies who made themselves at home outside. In his final weeks, those quiet, peaceful moments meant everything.
He had many longtime friends, including Russ and Steve, and a loving girlfriend, Ruth. Mike also spent many years in Racine, where he had a close-knit group of friends and enjoyed good conversation and camaraderie at his favorite local spot—Dickie’s Bar.
He came to live with his sister Kim and her husband Jim in June, knowing his time was short and that he wanted to be with family.
Mike is survived by his sisters, Sherill Roediger (Curt) and Kimberly Schmitt (Jim), as well as many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and close friends who will always remember his wit, his heart, and his love for the wild world around him.
Our family would like to thank everyone who stood with us during this time—especially those who donated toward his cremation, lifted us up in prayer, and offered support through kind words, meals, and time. A special thank you goes to our church family and our neighbors in Salem, and to Sherill and her family for their unwavering love.
Mike will be deeply missed. He already is.
