A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Jane (DiBlasio) O’Neal, 102, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11 A.M., Thursday, May 21, 2026, (her 103rd Birthday) with Fr. Thomas Gardner as celebrant. Private interment will be held in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Newark.

Mary Jane was born May 21, 1923, to the late Michel C. and Mary A. (Favo) DiBlasio. She was the third oldest of nine children all born and raised at the family home on Wilwood Avenue.

She married the love of her life, Paul O’Neal, in 1946. They spent 25 loving years together until his death in 1971. They had two daughters: Connee and Kathy.

She was a devout Catholic and a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church.

After attending St. Francis de Sales School, she first worked at the Sparta Restaurant. Then was employed by A.H. Heisey Company in the etching department as a touch up girl. She worked at W. T. Grants Department Store in the 1960’s. She volunteered at the American Red Cross for over 25 years and served as a poll worker for the Licking County Board of Elections for many years. She was also a member of PIME Guild.

In addition to her beloved church activities, she remained a proud charter member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy Rinascimento Lodge #2486. She belonged to her Euchre Club for over 50 years.

Mary Jane was an avid bingo player and enjoyed going to casinos. When she wasn’t on the go, she enjoyed reading novels, word search puzzles, watching TV game shows and Lawrence Welk. She crocheted, and sewed but was known for her baking, especially lemon merengue pie and cream puffs.

In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her three sisters: Sarah, Therese and Frances; her five brothers: Chris, Albert, (Louella), Nick, Carl (Millie) and Mike (Louise). Also, her brother in-law Russell (Inez) O’Neal and sister in-law Mildred (Joe) Sedlmeier.

She is survived by her two daughters, Connee O’Neal Barrett and Kathy O’Neal (Mark) Hupp; one grandson: Thomas Paul (Amy) Barrett; two great granddaughters: Julia Mary and Rachel Jane; two step grandsons: Matt (Jill) Hupp, and Corey (Brooke) Hupp; step great grandchildren: Ava, Lily, Emmitt and Nolan. Also, many special nieces and nephews who were all so good to her: Tina, Carla, Roxie, Vicki, Carol, Nick, Jeff, Bill; and Larry (Sandy) Sedlmeier and Linda (Bill) Andrews of Woodville.

Friends and family may call at the Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 5-7 P.M., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with a Sons of Italy Service held at 6:30 P.M., followed by a family tribute and Rosary Service.

The family would like to express thankfulness for her many cherished friends over the years, as well as the caregivers and friends at Arlington Care Center.

Donations in her name can be made to American Red Cross East Central Ohio Chapter, 143 S. 30th Street, Newark, Ohio 43058.