A Funeral Mass for Gretchen S. O'Neill, 83, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 10:30 A.M., Thursday, June 8, 2017 with Rev. Dean Mathewson as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.


Gretchen, a longtime parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died at Riverside Methodist Hospital on Friday, June 2, 2017. She was born in Newark, Ohio on March 1, 1934 to the late Robert and Elsie (O'Toole) Bentz.


A 1952 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, Gretchen attended The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education, followed by a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling.


Gretchen began her longtime devotion to Catholic education as a teacher at St. Francis de Sales Elementary School in 1966. In 1981, she then became School Principal at Blessed Sacrament Elementary where she stayed until 1996. The following year, she returned as the School Principal at St. Francis de Sales where she remained until 2005. Until recently, Gretchen was still working in the schools as a substitute teacher and tutor.


A wife, mother, and educator, Gretchen influenced countless lives over her career. She embodied a passion for learning, and used her role as an educator/administrator to inspire her family, students, staff, and co-workers, all while demonstrating the values of her Catholic faith and a work ethic not commonly found today. In 2005, Gretchen was presented a key to the City of Newark by Mayor Frank Stare for her many years of dedication and inspiration to the Catholic Schools of Licking County.


She is survived by her son, Steven T. O'Neill; her daughters, Karen M. (Emil) Slavik, and Sharon A. (Alex) Lavalle; 6 grandchildren, Nicholas and Faith O'Neill, Katie and Christopher Slavik, and John (Rebekah) and Michelle Lyncha; 2 great-grandchildren, Henley and Owen; her siblings, Judy (Bob) McMaken, Bill (Karla) Bentz, and Robert (Becky) Bentz; and many nieces and nephews.


In addition to her parents, Gretchen was preceded in death by her husband, John W. "Jack" O'Neill;


Friends and family may call from 4-8 P.M., Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 P.M.


To continue with her devotion to Catholic Education, the family of Gretchen respectfully requests that memorials in her name be made to the Gretchen O'Neill Scholarship Fund, which will be utilized by both St. Francis de Sales and Blessed Sacrament Elementary Schools to further inspire young students as they grow in the opportunity of Catholic education. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.


To share your memory of Gretchen or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com