The Warren County Commission this week appointed death investigator and retired law enforcement officer Mark O’Neill to step in as the county coroner.O’Neill’s appointment as coroner will not be made permanent until approved by Gov. Mike Parson. The county has forwarded that recommendation to the governor’s office, said Commissioner Dan Hampson.Former Coroner Glenn Craig announced last month that he would resign office effective May 1. Since then the county issued a call for applicants and received three responses.“We had three very good, qualified candidates,” said Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus. “Mr. O’Neill was the best fit for our county with his credentials.”O’Neill said he retired last year from St. Charles County Police after 31 years in law enforcement, and also works as a death investigator for the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office that serves St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties. O’Neill and his wife, Debbie, have lived in Warren County for 15 years.If formally appointed by the governor, O’Neill would serve as coroner until the next regular coroner election in 2020. He said he plans to run for office at that time.When discussing what his expected caseload will be, O’Neill said the coroner responded to 192 cases in 2018. He said the county also has a deputy coroner he plans to continue working with while he continues part-time employment with the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

Temporary County Coroner Mark O’Neill, second from the left, swears his oath of office April 30 at the Warren County Administration Building. O’Neill has been recommended to the governor’s office for long-term appointment. With him, from left, are Presiding County Commissioner Joe Gildehaus, Debora O’Neill, Commissioner Dan Hampson and County Clerk Denise Stotler. 

Record photo/Adam Rollins