Carla Diane (Pearson) O'Neil

Carla Diane (Pearson) O'Neil was born December 20, 1946, St. Mary's hospital DeKalb Illinois. Daughter of Mae S. (Johnson) and Carl W. Pearson. She entered eternity and is now in the presence of Jesus, passing peacefully in her home with family by her sides February 14, 2025.

Carla graduated from DeKalb and began working as a nurse's aide at DeKalb Public Hospital (currently Barb City Manor) for several years, in the early 1960's before dedicating her life to the DeKalb County Nursing and Rehab Center, working in the housekeeping department for 20 years. She retired to become a caregiver to her late husband. Carla continued to volunteer for DeKalb County Nursing and Rehab Center over many years and was a life member of their auxiliary. She was also a member of the DeKalb Chapter 1902 Women of the Moose and the red hatters club.

She married John "Jack" Alexander October 1970 and they were blessed with her only child, a daughter Melissa Mae. Even though they divorced, they remained good friends until his passing October 24, 1981. Carla then married Edward "Eddie" Pelikan June 16, 1989, they were just starting their lives together when he fell ill to throat cancer which took his life in 1991 just two short weeks after the birth of Carla's first-born granddaughter Elizabeth "Liz" D. Bradley.  Carla then married Gene L. O'Neil May 25th 1995 in Las Vegas Nevada. They had 9 ½ happy years together until his passing December 29, 2004. Carla and James Bond then became friends and were each other's companions for fifteen years until his passing.

Carla has one daughter and son in law Melissa (Randy) Coppert of Sycamore, two granddaughters, Elizabeth "Liz" D. Bradley who lost her life to Necrotizing Fasciitis (Group A Strep) infection two days after giving birth in 2009, her granddaughter Cassandra "Cassie" Maier, her and her great grandson Jaden Coppert. Carla could not get enough time with her family. She especially cherished her time with Cassie, her significant other Adam Eaton, Jaden and Adam's daughter Addi. Carla has three siblings, Brother Ron (Barb) Pearson of Batavia, Sister Sue (Jerry) Dewey of Sycamore, and Brother Ken (Peg) Pearson of Florida. Many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, a best friend for more than 50 years Mary (Dave) Walker of DeKalb, a community of neighbors who became like family and too many more to name that she loved and adored calling friend. Her heart was enormous, always smiling, always sweet and always saying I love you more. It is so very fitting that she passed on Valentine's Day. We can hear her saying

"I LOVE YOU MORE – THE END- I WIN!"

She found joy in life's simple pleasures. Volunteering or helping others, being cuddled in her nightgown and robe watching jeopardy, or classic TV shows and movies. Sitting on her daughter and son in laws front porch watching the birds, sitting in a chair with her feet up catching some sunrays, floating in her family's pool, playing her favorite card game Rummy with family and hanging out on her back patio with her neighbor friends. The only vacation she ever cared about taking was to Florida which she did several times with her daughter's family visiting her baby brother Ken and his family. Anyone who knew her, knows she loved her vodka martinis and wine.

A visitation will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9:00am to 11:00am, at Christ Community Church, 2350 Pride Avenue, DeKalb, IL. Celebration Ceremony will follow the visitation at 11:00am at the church with Pastor Paul DeHaven officiating. Private burial to follow. Cremation will be entrusted to Finch funeral home, DeKalb.

Special thanks to Dr. Dhaval Thakkar and Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Berry for the extraordinary care over the years. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Heartland Hospice care team for the compassionate care given, which allowed her to remain in her home as she wished. May God Bless each one of you in abondance as you continue to bless others.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Barb City Manor's "Light Up the Manor" campaign or Christ Community Church in her honor. Cremation rites and arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.