Michael Vaun O’Neil, 80, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Mike was born on November 3, 1945, to Richard John and Thora K. Pickup O’Neil in Price, Utah. He was the oldest of four children. Mike was intelligent, a hard worker, and responsible from a young age. His dad passed when he was 19 years old, and he took care of his mom and younger siblings.
Shortly after his father’s death, he married Anita Williams and had 5 children. They later divorced. He married the love of his life and soulmate, Linda Marie Pierson (Linda Lou), and gained 6 more children that he loved like his own.
Dad had a love for horses and rodeo. He competed in calf roping, team roping, and bull-dogging on the Carbon High and Carbon College (CEU) Rodeo teams and lettered in the sport. He continued participating in rodeo for another 15 years.
Dad had a hard work ethic that he instilled in his 11 children and grandchildren. His love of the land and cowboy way of life led him to work as a ranch hand in his younger years. He later started working at the Horse Canyon Coal mine in Columbia, UT, where he worked for 15 years. After the mine closed in 1983, he took a position with Savage Industries as a truck driver and was quickly promoted to supervisor, then manager. This position took him and his family from Price to Craig, CO, and other locations before he and Linda settled in Price, where he retired after 27 years at the age of 66.
Dad was a huge NASCAR fan. He was passionate about his family and the great outdoors. He shared his love of hunting, fishing, camping, and boating with his family, creating many memories of Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge, the desert, and the mountains of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. He lived life to the fullest and passed his passions on to his children and grandchildren, who will continue his legacy.
He was a life-long teacher, and encouraged everyone to work hard, do their best, never give up, and never settle. His wisdom, guidance, support, quick wit, humor and unwavering love for his wife and family will be deeply missed.
Mike is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Linda; children, Sheila (Jeff) Keele, Diana (John) Penrod, Leigh (Cody) Mecham, J.R. (Debbie) O’Neil, J.C. O’Neil, Jennifer (Tony) Owen, Stephanie Perez, Lori (Joe) Beaudry, Brooke White, Darin White, and Hayley White. He is also survived by 29 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, with 1 on the way. His siblings, Lynn (Cindy) O’Neil, Kathy (Phil) Medley, Sandy (Brent) Price, Dennis (Suzanne) Pierson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, brother Lloyd O’Neil, and nephews Jade O’Neil and Donald Lloyd.
Graveside service, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m., at the Huntington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Huntington and Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net