Charles Stephen O'Neill

Charles Stephen O'Neill ("Steve")

passed away on July 27, 2016 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 72. His passing was sudden and unexpected. He lived life to the fullest until the very end. He had an insatiable desire to learn and loved meeting new people. He was kind, charismatic, fun loving, witty and had an amazing ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He had a larger-than-life presence and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Steve was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and lived in Valparaiso, Indiana for most of his life. He was a talented basketball player and played for Valparaiso High School and Purdue University. After graduating from Purdue, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, where he met the love of his life, Elke Wanschura, his wife of 43 years. After spending several years together in Germany, Steve and Elke moved to Valparaiso and married in 1973. Steve joined his father, Dr. Martin J. O'Neill, in operating the Holiday Inn and Bridge-VU Theatre. While Steve and Elke raised their children, they owned and operated several other businesses. In addition, Steve also managed the O'Neill family farm for over 20 years. Steve had many hobbies and interests, including fishing, falconry, beekeeping and raising game birds. However, the thing he most enjoyed was spending time with his family and friends. 

In 2012, Steve and Elke moved to Los Angeles, where they spent many happy hours hiking in the mountains and exploring California together.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife Elke O'Neill; his five children Charles O'Neill, Jr. (Anne), Alexander O'Neill (Shiv), Dominique Fiore (Eric), Ryan O'Neill and Justine O'Neill; his six grandchildren Katherine O'Neill, Charles O'Neill, Elise O'Neill, Liam O'Neill, Isla Fiore and Isaac Fiore; and his four brothers Martin O'Neill, Jr., Michael O'Neill, Thomas O'Neill and Eugene O'Neill. He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Martin J. O'Neill and his mother Maude Alice O'Neill.

Funeral services will be held on August 4, 2016 at Mountain View Cemetery Sunrise Chapel in Altadena, California at 1:00 p.m. An additional memorial gathering will be held in Valparaiso, Indiana at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's name to the National Audubon Society (www.audubon.org; 844.428.3826).