David "Dave" Lowell Neill

David Lowell Neill was born September 6, 1931 and passed October 4, 2022.  Born to Esther Peckham Neill and Everett Neill he was the youngest of five children.    After graduation from Pawnee City High School he entered the Air Force where he served in the Korean war in French Indochina (Vietnam) and Japan.  He enjoyed telling stories about the countries he visited and the friends he made while serving his country.  Upon return to the states, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Herries.  Their marriage of 67 years produced four children; John (Luanne) Neill, Anne Perry, Tom Neill (deceased), and Kathy (Joel) Fabry, as well as seven grandchildren; Matthew, Benjamin and Amy; Blake and Megan; Chris and Ellie; and five great grandchildren; Evan and Amelia; Elijah, Jonah and Luke. 

Dave worked for The O.A. Cooper Feed Company first as a salesman, then as a manager of the mills in Beatrice and Cozad, Nebraska.  He was an entrepreneur owning successful businesses until his retirement.   He opened the Pawnee Laundromat and Dry Cleaning, Neill Land Leveling, and North Newell Welding in Cozad, and Snappy Lube in Grants Pass, Oregon.  

When Dave and Mary returned to Pawnee City in 1994, they updated and remodeled the house they have lived in since that time and made it their home.  Dave purchased and remodeled several houses which he enjoyed completing in his retirement years.

Dave loved to fish.  After he became a grandfather, he enjoyed taking the grandchildren fishing at the City Pond.  One of his favorite memories was when his granddaughter reeled in a snapping turtle, she let out a scream when she saw it then threw the turtle and rod into the pond.  Luckily, he was able to fish the rod out of the water and save the turtle.  He spent many hours at The Jug laughing and playing cards with his friends.  Mostly he loved to play card games (particularly cribbage) and dominoes with his children and grandchildren whenever they visited.

He was very caring and giving, he always made himself available to lend a hand to friends and neighbors; whether it was helping with harvest, picking up and delivering cars, painting or mowing.  

Preceding Dave in death were his son, Tom Neill, four siblings, Doris (Roy) Sherer, Dean Neill, Harold Neill, Kenneth Neill. 

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m.,  Monday, October 10, 2022 at the First United Presbyterian/First Christian Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Connor Barr officiating.  Military burial will be at the Pawnee City Cemetery following the service provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and Dalton-McHugh Pawnee City VFW Post #5289.  Lunch will be provided by the Presbyterian Church and P.E.O. 

Visitation will be held from 12:00-8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Wherry Mortuary 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials may go to the  First United Presbyterian Church or Cottonwood Hospice in Beatrice.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. 

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