Vernon Austin Mcneel

Vernon Austin McNeel, 84, of Lincoln, NE, formerly of Hershey, NE, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Bryan East Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. Vernon was born November 7, 1929, to William Augustus and Ada McNeel at North Platte, NE. He grew up north of Hershey on the Birdwood Creek. Vernon attended school at District 36 and later the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, NE. In 1951 Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War. Following his discharge in 1954, Vernon returned to Hershey to work with his dad on the family farm. He also worked in the family's construction business to build Highway 30 from Ogallala to Hershey. Vernon later worked in various jobs which included hauling grain, working for the oil rigs in Kimball, NE and for the Union Pacific Railroad with the Maintenance of Way. He then began his coast to coast trucking experience with Crown Prince and then spent the remainder of his career with Consolidated Freightways, retiring in October 1994. Vernon married his beautiful wife of 59 years, Peggy Joann Bolton, on November 7, 1954, in Sutherland, NE where they made their home and raised their daughters, Ada Mae and Kay. Vernon and Peggy transferred to Lincoln in 1980 with Consolidated Freightways. Vernon was a 60 year member of Otto V. Johnson Post #208 American Legion and a member of the Teamsters Union. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Peggy, of Lincoln; two daughters, Ada (Terry) Hopken, of Ogallala, NE and Kay McNeel, of Scottsdale, AZ. Vernon also had four granddaughters, LeDonna Spongberg, Gena Roth, Michelle Hopken and Joanna (Dr. Richard) Markiewicz; and eight great-grandchildren, Blake, Gianna, Mikilos, Sienna, Savannah, Collin Jay, Alexander and Rowan Mae. He is also survived by his brother, Russell (Mildred) McNeel, of Yuma, AZ; a brother-in-law, Frank (Joan) Bonta, of North Platte; two nieces, four nephews as well as other family. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ada McNeel. Graveside memorial service with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2014, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with JA Welsh officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Wounded Warrior Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.