Elizabeth Hilker O'Neil's Obituary
Elizabeth Hilker O’Neil, 85, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died July 5, 2025, in Front Royal, VA, after a battle with cancer.
Liz will be remembered best for her boundless artistic creativity, love of nature, gardening, pinochle, and a deep love of family, especially her late husband Gene, her children, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. A citizen of Culpeper for nearly 40 years, she was active in community issues and performed volunteer work for Triad and the local Republican Party. Throughout those years, she and her husband Gene raised four children on six continents, surviving earthquakes, military coups and the Revolution in Iran. After Gene’s retirement, the couple moved to Madison, VA where she lived for nearly 20 years until her move to Front Royal last year. She was born in Brooktondale, New York, where she spent her early childhood.
She is survived by her son, Mike O’Neil of Strasburg, VA, daughter-in-law Tammy O’Neil and their children, Jarah, Jacob, Michelle, Anthony and Sandra; daughter Theresa Knight of Burgess, VA, son-in-law Jeff Knight and their children, Grace, Ian, Catherine and Pierce; daughter Belinda Palmer of McLean, VA, son-in-law Jim Palmer and their children, Garrett and Rachel; daughter Erin Herbig of Clifton, VA, son-in-law Dave Herbig and their daughters Summer and Kolby; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and her sisters Terry Donlick of Freeville, NY and Judy Tripp of Cortland, NY.
Liz was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene O’Neil; his father, James O’Neil, his mother, Mary O’Neil, his sister, Elin Marie and brothers, Michael, Martin, Richard, and Jim O’Neil; her mother, Grace Hilker Cowles, father, Eldon Hilker, and brother, John Hilker.
The family will receive friends at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, beginning at 10:00 am on Monday, July 28, 2025. Service will follow at 11:00 am with her son, Michael O’Neil officiating.
The family invites those unable to attend to watch via livestream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1MzMwNjU5OTM3Mjg4MSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Interment will follow at Culpeper National Cemetery, 501 E. Chandler Street., Culpeper.
In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., #405, Winchester, VA 22601.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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