Everett L. McNeil, 85, Onarga, IL

Everett Lee McNeil passed away August 12, 2009.

He was born May 7, 1924, in rural Thawville, Illinois to Chester Lee and Ruth McNeil. Everett graduated from Onarga High School in 1942. He served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater in the occupation of France and Germany. He was honorably discharged on December 18, 1946. He then married Avalon Haas on June 7, 1947. They continued to farm in the Ridgeville/Onarga area for 46 years before retiring in 1993, spending winters at  their new home in Phoenix, Arizona. Everett was a member of the Onarga Methodist Church and also a lifetime member of the American Legion. No matter how busy Everett was with his farming and livestock, along with part time employment, he always had time to stop and talk to friends. He always made time to attend all school functions in which his children were involved. Everett’s passions included his family, dancing with Avalon, hunting with his coon dogs and bird dogs, raising his prized fighting chickens, and playing cards with his friends.

Everett is survived by his wife, Avalon, of 62 years; two daughters, Barbara McNeil of Marietta, Ohio and Diane (Mike) Lee of Hawesville, Kentucky; one son, Kenneth Lee (Kathy) McNeil of Geneva, Illinois; two grandsons, Kyle and Matthew McNeil; one brother, Wayne McNeil of Fowler, Indiana; three nephews, Mark McNeil of Seattle, Washington, Tim McNeil of Florida and Kevin McNeil of Fowler, Indiana; and one niece, Dee Ann (Ron) Storch of Peoria, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his oldest grandson, Johnathon Lee McNeil, on February 5, 2009.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the Onarga Methodist Church. Rev. Elizabeth Reis and Rev. Tom Jones will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Onarga Methodist Church.

Arrangements are by Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga.