1926
Richard
2009
Richard E. McNeill
May 2, 1926 — November 23, 2009
Grand Marais / Big Rapids
Dr. Richard "Dick" E. McNeill, Ph.D., of Wilson Street, Grand Marais and formerly of Big Rapids, died on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1926 in Detroit to Archibald and Laura McNeill. Dick served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He then attended Cass Tech for classes and graduated from the University of Michigan where he also earned his Ph.D. Dick married Elsia Paparella on August 6, 1955. He taught middle school then high school biology in Traverse City. Dick then became a professor at Ferris State University where he taught biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. He taught at Ferris from 1964 until 1984. During that time, Dick studied under grants at Yale, MSU, and NMU. After retirement, Dick and Elsia moved to Grand Marais where they volunteered for many years at the Seney Wildlife Refuge. He was a member of the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais, the Audubon Society, and the Muskegon River Watershed Council. Dick was an artist from a young age. He painted wildlife, carved wood, and made duck decoys. He loved the outdoors.
Dick is survived by his wife of over fifty-four years - Elsia of Grand Marais; son and daughter-in-law - Scott and Kelly McNeill of Big Rapids; granddaughter - Colleen Dever; brother-in-law - Frank Minnici; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig on November 14, 1991, brother Clayton, and sisters Dorothy Strong, Edith McCourt, and Marti Minnici.
A memorial service will be held at the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais at a later date.Bowerman Funeral Home 302 E. Superior Street Munising, MI 49862 906/387/2400 906/387/2436 fax Grand Marais / Big Rapids Dr. Richard "Dick" E. McNeill, Ph.D., of Wilson Street, Grand Marais and formerly of Big Rapids, died on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1926 in Detroit to Archibald and Laura McNeill. Dick served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He then attended Cass Tech for classes and graduated from the University of Michigan where he also earned his Ph.D. Dick married Elsia Paparella on August 6, 1955. He taught middle school then high school biology in Traverse City. Dick then became a professor at Ferris State University where he taught biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. He taught at Ferris from 1964 until 1984. During that time, Dick studied under grants at Yale, MSU, and NMU. After retirement, Dick and Elsia moved to Grand Marais where they volunteered for many years at the Seney Wildlife Refuge. He was a member of the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais, the Audubon Society, and the Muskegon River Watershed Council. Dick was an artist from a young age. He painted wildlife, carved wood, and made duck decoys. He loved the outdoors. Dick is survived by his wife of over fifty-four years - Elsia of Grand Marais; son and daughter-in-law - Scott and Kelly McNeill of Big Rapids; granddaughter - Colleen Dever; brother-in-law - Frank Minnici; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig on November 14, 1991, brother Clayton, and sisters Dorothy Strong, Edith McCourt, and Marti Minnici. A memorial service will be held at the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Dick may be made to the Seney Wildlife Refuge.
His obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.bowermanfuneralhome.net
His obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.bowermanfuneralhome.net
Dr. Richard "Dick" E. McNeill, Ph.D., of Wilson Street, Grand Marais and formerly of Big Rapids, died on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1926 in Detroit to Archibald and Laura McNeill. Dick served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He then attended Cass Tech for classes and graduated from the University of Michigan where he also earned his Ph.D. Dick married Elsia Paparella on August 6, 1955. He taught middle school then high school biology in Traverse City. Dick then became a professor at Ferris State University where he taught biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. He taught at Ferris from 1964 until 1984. During that time, Dick studied under grants at Yale, MSU, and NMU. After retirement, Dick and Elsia moved to Grand Marais where they volunteered for many years at the Seney Wildlife Refuge. He was a member of the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais, the Audubon Society, and the Muskegon River Watershed Council. Dick was an artist from a young age. He painted wildlife, carved wood, and made duck decoys. He loved the outdoors.
Dick is survived by his wife of over fifty-four years - Elsia of Grand Marais; son and daughter-in-law - Scott and Kelly McNeill of Big Rapids; granddaughter - Colleen Dever; brother-in-law - Frank Minnici; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig on November 14, 1991, brother Clayton, and sisters Dorothy Strong, Edith McCourt, and Marti Minnici.
A memorial service will be held at the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais at a later date.Bowerman Funeral Home 302 E. Superior Street Munising, MI 49862 906/387/2400 906/387/2436 fax Grand Marais / Big Rapids Dr. Richard "Dick" E. McNeill, Ph.D., of Wilson Street, Grand Marais and formerly of Big Rapids, died on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1926 in Detroit to Archibald and Laura McNeill. Dick served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He then attended Cass Tech for classes and graduated from the University of Michigan where he also earned his Ph.D. Dick married Elsia Paparella on August 6, 1955. He taught middle school then high school biology in Traverse City. Dick then became a professor at Ferris State University where he taught biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. He taught at Ferris from 1964 until 1984. During that time, Dick studied under grants at Yale, MSU, and NMU. After retirement, Dick and Elsia moved to Grand Marais where they volunteered for many years at the Seney Wildlife Refuge. He was a member of the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais, the Audubon Society, and the Muskegon River Watershed Council. Dick was an artist from a young age. He painted wildlife, carved wood, and made duck decoys. He loved the outdoors. Dick is survived by his wife of over fifty-four years - Elsia of Grand Marais; son and daughter-in-law - Scott and Kelly McNeill of Big Rapids; granddaughter - Colleen Dever; brother-in-law - Frank Minnici; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig on November 14, 1991, brother Clayton, and sisters Dorothy Strong, Edith McCourt, and Marti Minnici. A memorial service will be held at the Mennonite Church in Grand Marais at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Dick may be made to the Seney Wildlife Refuge.
His obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.bowermanfuneralhome.net
His obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.bowermanfuneralhome.net
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