Monica Elaine O’Neal, 68, of Lima, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 30, 2026, at 3:15 a.m.

She was born on December 16, 1957, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN to the parents of Homer L. O’Neal, Sr., and Jacqueline J. O’Neal of Lima, OH. Her mother survives in Lima.

From the moment she entered the world, Monica defied every expectation. Born with cerebral palsy, doctors did not expect her to survive infancy, but her extraordinary strength and perseverance sustained her and blessed our family and those around her for 68 years.

She had a deep love for any and everything related to babies. Monica would occasionally suffer from seizures throughout her life and singing her favorite nursery rhyme, Rock-A-Bye Baby, always calmed her through such times. She found immense joy in being read to, listening to all genres of music, being with her family, and her nightly prayer time with her mom. What a truly extraordinary life she lived! It was such an honor, blessing, and privilege for us to be a part of it. Monica will always be remembered with love, and we will feel her absence profoundly.

Those who remain to cherish her memory include her devoted mother, Jacqueline J. O’Neal; siblings Homer L. O’Neal, Jr., Denise R. Richardson, and Jerome J. (Sherri) O’Neal, all of Lima; Gregory L. (Alana) O’Neal of Phoenix, Arizona; Timothy D. (Kissha) O’Neal of Columbus, Ohio; and Paula J. (Warren) Gwinn of Centerville, Ohio. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, along with the dedicated home health aides who lovingly assisted in her care.

Monica was preceded in death by her father, Homer L. O’Neal, Sr., her brother Ronald G. O’Neal, and her niece Javanna Y. O’Neal

Services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Jones-Clark Funeral Home Chapel with a viewing two hours prior to the service.

Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery

Services entrusted to: JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.

To order flowers and to offer condolences to the O'Neal Family, visit www.jonesclarkfuneralhome.com