O’NEAL CASTLEMAN

O’Neal Castleman, 76, son of Dysart and Elva Fredrick Castleman, was born Sept. 2, 1925, at Yukon. He died Aug. 22, 2002, at his home near Yukon. In his early years during the ’30s, his family owned and operated a general store and small farm at Yukon. In October 1943, he left Houston High School to join the Navy in support of the war effort. Upon his return in 1946 from the Navy, he owned and operated a rural milk route. He married Ruth Mae Davis April 12, 1947. Together they op-erated a dairy farm near Yukon. They later operated a restaurant at Summersville and moved to Rolla in the ’50s. Mr. Castleman sold farm equip-ment for International Harvester. As a result, he established an International Harvester dealership in Lebanon, which he owned for 25 years. During these years, the Castlemans raised their family and operated a registered Angus farm. After his wife’s death in 1984, he sold his farm at Lebanon and moved back to his family home near Yukon. He married Opal McKinney Williams Nov. 19, 1988. They made their home near Yukon. Mr. Castleman became a Christian early in life and served the Lord faithfully in the churches of the various communities where he lived. At the time of his death, he had been a member of the Ozark Baptist Church for almost 14 years, serving his fellowman and the Lord in many capacities. He visited with his good friend, Bro. Ed Hamilton in many homes and was known throughout the community for his loving and compassionate ministry and sense of humor. The focus of his later life and his heart’s desire was to be an effective Christian witness and to be of service to others. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Donald Dean; and three brothers, Clay, Roy and Troy Castleman. Surviving are his wife, Opal, of the home; one son, Lexie Castleman of Pensacola, Fla.; one daughter, Rosalind Miller of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one stepson, Ryan Williams of Houston; and six grandchildren. Services were Aug. 26 at the Ozark Baptist Church with the Rev. Ed Hamilton and the Rev. Kendall Ford officiating. Burial was in the Allen Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home of Houston. “