Obituary of Samuel Charles McNeill

AKRON, OHIO - Samuel Charles McNeill, 85, born August 22, 1923 in Star City, West Virginia to Sehon and Bonnie McNeill, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Visiting Nurse Hospice Care Center after many years of fighting Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.. Samuel was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, a charter member of Knights of Columbus Chapter 3410, a life member of DAV Chapter 35 and VFW Post 3383, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association Club and the Clan Macneil Association of America. Samuel enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was a Gun Commander during the service with the 82nd Airborne Division and a paratrooper in Casablanca, Sicily, Naples Foggia, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Africa, Holland, England, France and Belgium. He arrived in Holland as a glider co-pilot. He was seriously wounded later on in fighting and was sent to England for surgery. He was then sent and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Silver Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Star attachment, Silver Star Attachment and Arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, Belgium Fourragere, Netherlands' Orange Lanyard, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Sharp Shooter Badge, Rifle Bar, Marksman Badge and Rifle Bar and a Basic Parachutist Badge. After returning from the service, he went to school on the GI Bill and became a shoe repairman working at M. O'Neill's for a few years. Then he went to work at B.F. Goodrich and finally to work at the Akron Public Schools in the Maintenance Department. He learned to love and repair all kinds of wood furniture. After 30 years in maintenance and his love of wood, it led him to antiques. He spent his retirement in shopping, repairing, refinishing and reworking wood. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Betty Sue; and his children, Betty (David) Heckman, Lawrence (Debra) McNeill, Christopher (Janet) McNeill and twins, William and Gwendolyn McNeill. He also leaves 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Pauline (James, deceased) Beatty and Mary Ann (Adolph) Urdialles; and many nieces and nephews as well as dear and wonderful friends. Funeral services will be held Thursday, 9:30 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron (PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS), followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Fr. Ralph Thomas officiating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Visiting Nurse Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, Ohio 44333. (Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com )