McNeil, Glenn E.

Glenn E. McNeil, 87, Wataga, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

He was born November 12, 1927, in Knoxville, Illinois, to Fred and Gladys McNeil. He married Miriam I. Parkinson June 7, 1953, at the First United Methodist Church in Galesburg.

Glenn attended Oneida High School. He left school to enlist in the Army during World War II, and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in Germany. When he returned from the service, he completed his schooling and enrolled in Aeronautic School, where he earned his pilot’s license. Soon thereafter, he began a 44-year career on the railroad, first as a fireman and then as an engineer with the CB&Q Railroad, now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Glenn’s passions in life were his family, his farm, his cherished horses, and his beloved German shepherd, Sophie. When he wasn’t railroading, he was farming and caring for the animals he loved.

Following his retirement from the railroad in 1991, Glenn devoted himself full-time to farming. He remained actively engaged in farming the family farm until the age of 83.

Surviving are his wife, Miriam; two daughters; Julie (Rob) Pearson, Bettendorf, Iowa, and Ellen (Garrett) Rush, Galesburg; two grandchildren, Emma and Nicholas Rush, Galesburg; a sister, Lois Ruddell, Knoxville; and sister-in-law, Jean Clague, Galesburg. Also surviving are his beloved nieces and nephews. Glenn’s parents, two sisters, and a brother preceded him in death.

Glenn was a 60-year member of the Masonic Alpha Lodge #155, the First United Methodist Church, the Knox County Farm Bureau, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with Pastor Glen Bocox and Pastor Mary Runge officiating. Burial will be in the Wataga Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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