Jack McNeill

PRINCETON — Jack R. McNeill, 87, of Princeton died at 4:35 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the LaSalle Veteran's Home.

Jack was born Dec. 5, 1923, in Erie, the son of Leland and Hazel McNeill. He graduated from Erie High School.

He and his twin brother John enlisted in the Army after high school at the age of 18. He was trained as an engineer at the University of Florida.

He served in the 531st Engineer Shore Regiment 1st Special Brigade during World War II. Jack landed on Normandy on June 6, 1944 "D-Day". He and his twin brother John were always together. During the war, they helped liberate the Dora Concentration Camp. He was also stationed on the island of Luzon, Philippines for one year. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Croix DeGuerre from the French Government. 

Following the war in 1946, Jack married Theresa Roman in St. Catherine Catholic Church in Prophetstown. Jack and John owned and operated McNeill Twins Oil Co. for 49 years in Prophetstown. In 2004, Jack and Theresa moved to Princeton. Jack was president of the Prophetstown Elementary School Board for 16 years, Booster Club, charter member of Prophet Hills Country Club, American Legion Post 552, and was president of St. Catherine Men's Club.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa McNeill of Princeton; two daughters, Bridgette (Paul) Castelein and Deb (Robert) Russell, both of Princeton; four grandchildren, Caley (Heidi) Castelein of San Francisco, Calif., Andrew McNeill Russell of Princeton, Margaret Russell, of Chicago, and Elizabeth Russell of Chicago; one great-granddaughter, Keelan Castelein of San Francisco, Calif.; one sister, Phyllis Miller of Geneseo; one brother, Dr. Lee (Susan) McNeill of Charleston; one sister-in-law, Arlene McNeill of Prophetstown and many nieces and nephews. 

Jack was preceded in death by his mother and father; one sister, Virginia Keehner; three brothers, twin John McNeill, Arland McNeill and Larry McNeill.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton, with services at 11 a.m., Father Stirniman officiating. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the LaSalle Veteran's Home or the Wounded Warrior Project.