Nagene Marie O'Neal

October 9, 1948 - November 10, 2025
Nagene Marie O'Neal, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on October 9, 1948, Nagene lived a life filled with faith, warmth, and a deep devotion to her family.

Nagene was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Nadine Kliewer, and her precious granddaughter, Victoria McCleland.

She is survived by her loving husband, Hal O'Neal; her daughters, Cheryl McCleland-Lewis and her husband Robert, Stephanie Costa and her husband David, and Janet O'Neal; grandchildren Christopher McCleland, Casey Steinhauer, Kelly Freeman, Katie Steinhauer, John Steinhauer, and Taylor Eidson; and great-grandsons Ezra Martinez and Daniel Ramos-McCleland.

Nagene is also survived by her three sisters:
Luann Regier and her husband Thomas,
Pam Horn and her husband Mike,
Vicki Posten and her husband Howard.

Her nieces and nephews, who held a special place in her heart, include:
Lisa Butler and husband Dustin;
Brian Regier and wife Stella;
Katie Torwalt and husband Bryan;
Taylor Horn and wife Paige;
Marie Milton and husband Michael;
Dr. John Posten and wife Andrea.

Her lifelong and dearest friend Bonnie Motsenbocker

Her great-nieces and great-nephews—each a treasured part of her extended family—include:
Sydney Butler, Ava Regier, Indigo Torwalt, Lovely Horn, Charlotte Posten, Caroline Posten, and great-nephews Jaxon Regier, Bravery Horn, and Christopher Posten.

Eulogy:

Nagene Marie Kliewer-O'Neal was born on October 9th, 1948. She was born to Eugene and Nadine Kliewer. Nagene was named after her mom and dad, hence her name was Nagene. The first of 4 girls, and she took her responsibility of BIG SISTER very seriously. She cooked, cleaned, and watched us sisters while mom worked.

Nagene was always ready to help. When Grandma Kliewer, who lived next door in Dinuba needed help, she would come and get Nagene to come over and help her out. Nagene was only about 7 or 8 when grandma came looking for help. Grandma would hand her the dust rag, and she would "go to town!"
When she was 8 years old, the family moved to Fresno for her dad's work. We lived in a small 3-bedroom, 1-bath house and shared bedrooms, 2 girls in each room.

Growing up, one of the family things we liked to do was, go to Santa Cruz and go camping and to the beach and boardwalk. Nagene was fussy about her hair, even then. She took along her pink hair rollers and babushka and curled her hair every night, even when camping. By this time, she already knew she wanted to be a hairdresser.
From 1963-1967 she attended Immanuel Academy High School in Reedley. She had to get up at 5am in order to walk 3 blocks to catch the bus to take her to Reedley. Even at this time she was doing family members hair and making sure she was all stylish and put together for the day. She prided herself on looking her best.
In the Fall of 1967, she started her hairdressing journey at Federicos Beauty College in Fresno. Her dad would drive her to and pick her up from school every day. After graduating and working in the first beauty shop, she decided on a little adventure and moved to Bakersfield. She lived there until her roommate got sick and had to move out, she could no longer afford to live on her own, so she moved back to Fresno. She continued working as a hairdresser.

She met Leon, her first husband. They married in January of 1978. In 1996 Leon passed away.
In November of 2002, Nagene she decided she needed a new car, and asked a friend "where should I look?" He suggested Herwaldt's. So...she went to Herwaldts, and who should she meet?!! Mr. O'Neal! Things clicked, they went on their first date the following Tuesday and 3 weeks later on December 10, 2002, Hal and Nagene were married in her mother's living room with a handful of family and friends present.
On June 7th, 2019, Nagene and Hal officially adopted Janet, Hal's stepdaughter and Nagene became a "first time mom." She was so excited to have a daughter.

Her sisters Luann, Vicki, and Pam were not only her sisters but her "friends." Nagene was their prayer warrior, confidant, encourager, and rock. When together there wasn't ever awkward silence.
Nagene was...Honest, encouraging, not judgmental, steadfast friend to many, follower of Christ. She loved the Lord, and His word. To everyone here now, Nagene would have said "If you don't have a personal relationship with the Lord, today would be a great day to meet Him. Heaven is absolutely amazing, and there's only one way to get here, and that is to invite Him into your heart and life."

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 20, 2025, at 10:30 AM at North Park Community Church 2297 E Shepherd Ave, Fresno, CA 93720

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