Dirla S. Oneal

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dirla S. Oneal, 68, Cottage Hills, went to be with the Lord at 10:14 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., with her family by her side.

She was born on October 20, 1940, in Carrier Mills, the daughter of Steve and Rosalea (Odum) Dobrey. She married Ralph W. Oneal Jr. in Corinth, Miss., on Dec. 23, 1957. He survives.

Dirla was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bethalto where she served on the kitchen, flower and banner committees. She loved her church, Sunday School class, shopping and being at Coquina Beach in Bradenton, Fla. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gregg and Michelle Oneal of O'Fallon; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mick Madison of Bethalto; seven grandchildren, Aaron and his spouse, Erin Oneal, Katie, Callie, Amy and A.J. Oneal and Brent and Derek Madison; and a sister and brother-in-law, Deloris and Dean Rowland of Springfield.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Steve Dobrey; and an infant brother.

In celebration of her life, a visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the First Baptist Church of Bethalto with pastors Chip Faulkner and Larry Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Bethalto Building Fund.

An on-line condolence and guest book may be found at the Internet site www.eliaskallalandschaff.com.