Reagan Mildred O'Neill

Reagan Mildred O’Neill’s

Life Story

January 18, 2026 – January 29, 2026

Daughter of Dustin Eugene O’Neill and Jordan Leigh Cox O’Neill

Sister of Sage Leigh O’Neill

We were overjoyed when we discovered we would be expecting your arrival in May 2026! We both really looked forward to the bonding and shared memories you and your sister Sage would have together! Our pregnancy was relatively seamless, just like your sister’s, despite some random spotting that the doctors were keeping a close eye on. Until unexpectedly, we were launched into an unknown, variable and lengthy “Whitewater Raft” adventure on January 11, 2026. It was a float experience that included everything from a Class I to Class VI rapids without any paddles. Only the Lord with us and many doctors, nurses, family, and friends supporting us from near and far. Over our two and half week stint in the Barnes-Jewish and St Louis Children’s hospitals we were met with numerous large, deadly rapids as well as many opportunities to relax on flatwater, draw closer to each other and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When we started on this unexpected hospital adventure, we did not know who you truly were or your name. The night before your anatomy ultrasound on January 14, 2026, your Daddy and I watched Moana 2 and when I saw the Big Sister and Little Sister dynamic in the movie, I looked at your Daddy and said “I think we are having another little girl!” with tears in my eyes. The next day we officially found out that we were having you little Reagan. We were trying to decide between Lynn and Mildred for your middle name. When we saw that Mildred meant “Gentle Strength” in addition to Mildred being your tough Great, Great Grandmothers name, we knew it was the right fit for you!

Although, we prepared for me to carry you and keep you safe for many more weeks. God chose to make your debut on January 18, 2026 at 4:48 pm weighing only 14.5 oz. Despite some very dangerous circumstances you and I both stayed strong enough for God, the doctors, nurses, and Daddy to keep us both alive. You really made us cry of joy when the lovely nurses put your tiny little foot print on the back of Daddy’s hand! We are so glad we got to spend the next week with you through the Class II rapids and the Class V rapids. We read you devotionals, Bible verses, and books, prayed with you, sang and played music for you, and colored you some inspirational artwork for your room door. You were so tiny, but you also displayed such gentle strength through everything we were enduring.

On the evening of January 28, 2026, we were called to rush to the hospital as you were in a level V rapid. Daddy had to race up to the hospital 3 hours from home. Doctors and nurses were having difficulty getting you to retain blood transfusions they were providing you. We chose to enjoy a night of cuddling with you and offering you colostrum on a swab to ease your parched lips and tongue. Even though doctors had pulled you from everything but oxygen, blood pressure medicine, and morphine you maintained an impressive heartbeat of 150 bpm and oxygen in the 90s when you were 115 bpm and 70s in the incubator. For that reason, we couldn't make ourselves pull your oxygen as planned, when you were obviously enjoying our close love with each other to say goodbye.

Later in the morning, we all agreed to drop your blood pressure medicine as it was not kind to keep you in this state without the additional electrolytes and nutrients you needed. Doctors anticipated you would pass quickly. You continued to maintain stable vitals until 3:10 pm even though we could tell you were unwell. We prayed and longed for God to take you home on his own, so that we didn't have to decide that for you. But by 3:10 pm we all felt painful watching you continue to decline. We decided to pull your oxygen. Your appropriate middle name Mildred “Gentle Strength” continued to shine as you maintained a heartbeat for almost another 2 hours as we held you and kissed you. You were like a resilient little hummingbird! Tiny with a strong heartbeat! Although we continue to lean on each other and mourn, we are at peace with God ‘s decision to let you rest in peace with him.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

~ Psalm 138: 7-8 ESV

Sweet little hummingbird Reagan Mildred, one of the many purposes the Lord had for your life was to bring joy to our life; As your parents in the brief time, we got to meet and know you. Without doubt, your most significant purpose in life was giving so many people the reason and opportunity to share and listen to the truth of our Amazing God and His son Jesus Christ who lived on Earth as we do, died and was buried, and rose to prepare a place for us in the New Heaven and New Earth. At which point we greatly look forward to seeing your beautiful little face again when Jesus returns. We love you so dearly our sweet daughter.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

~ Numbers 6: 24-26 ESV

Surviving in addition to her parents and sister are other family and significant friends: Paternal grandparents, Stan O’Neill and Sharon O’Neill; Maternal grandparents, Robert Cox and Gina Cox and her Godparents, Matthew Berry and Amanda Berry. 

The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until time for the funeral service at 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Missouri. Pastor Matthew Berry will officiate.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

Memorial gifts may be considered to:

St. Louis Children's Hospital

https://support.stlouischildrens.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2386&2386.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T

Gift designation: Family/Patient Care

Tribute Gift: In Memory of: Reagan O'Neill

Optional: E-card: jordan.cox7@yahoo.com

Ronald McDonald House Charities - St. Louis

https://rmhcstl.org/donate/

Memorial/Tribute Gift: In Memory of: Reagan Mildred O'Neill

Optional: Notify Jordan O'Neill of gift donation. 17991 CR-413; Bloomfield, MO 63825