Obituaries

Gerald W. McNeil

Died Sept. 14, 2015

LAKE LEELANAU – Gerald William McNeil, 100, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2015 at Munson Hospice House.

  Gerald was born on Sept. 17, 1914 in Traverse City, the son of Lorin and Gertrude (Schaub) McNeil.  On Oct. 10, 1944 at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau, he married Ethel M. Atkinson who preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2010.

  Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and gardening.  He loved baseball and the Detroit Tigers and he enjoyed a good game of euchre of which he always won.  Jerry worked for the Traverse City Public Schools as a custodian for ten years.  He also served as a mill hand for thirty five years with the Lake Leelanau Co-op and was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

  Gerald is survived by his children, Mary (Fred) Binder, Gertrude Fowler, Gerald (Lorraine) McNeil, Donald McNeil, Elizabeth (Dan) Inman, William (Carol) McNeil, and Tim (Linda) McNeil; sister-in-laws, Alice, Eleanore, and Alice McNeil; a son in law, JB Wheeler; 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

  In addition to his wife of 65 years, Gerald was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Wheeler, a son, Charles John McNeil; his brothers, Leonard, Jim, Art and Lawrence McNeil; sisters, Margaret Williams, Dorothy Plamondon, and Cecelia Williams; a sister in law, Mary McNeil; and a son-in-law, Andy Fowler.

  A memorial mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau with family greeting friends one hour prior.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

   Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or Mass Intentions.

  Please share memories with the McNeil family at www.martinson.info

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.