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McNiel, Harold LaVern 'Mickey'
Harold LaVern “Mickey” McNiel, 93, of Heritage Nursing and Rehab, died there Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, from complications of a stroke. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Survivors include two sons, William (Judith) and Robert (JoAnn), both of Cedar Rapids; granddaughters, Terri McNiel (Sherrard Wiese) of Omaha, Neb., Molly (Michael) Gregory of Ozark, Ala., Kelly McNiel Ellis of Cedar Rapids and Stephanie McNiel of New York City; great-grandchildren, Aleah and Maggie Gregory and William Ellis; and Mickey's companion, Arlene St. Clair.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and three siblings, Gladys Dorney, Lloyd and Muriel McNiel.
Mickey was born April 25, 1918, in Independence, the son of Walter and Nora (Dicken) McNiel. He graduated in 1936 from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids, where he participated in track and basketball. During a short period of time he worked in Gary, Ind., where he entered Golden Gloves competitions. He met Nora Mae Snodgrass while in Gary; they married Aug. 7, 1938, in Rensseler, Ind., and moved to Cedar Rapids. Nora died in 1997.
Mickey started at Iowa Manufacturing in 1938 as a welder, retiring in 1982 as Director of Purchasing. He represented Iowa Manufacturing as a welding consultant for the Cedar Rapids Schools vocational-technical post high school courses.
In 1953, he became an active member and deacon of Central Park Presbyterian Church, later, Echo Hill. He was also a member of the Elks Club.
Mickey had a strong work ethic and he loved life, whether fishing on the Mississippi or sitting on the beach in Fort Myers, Fla.
“Special thank you to the staffs of Emeritus at Silver Pines and Heritage Nursing and Rehab for their care and concern.”
A memorial fund has been established.
Please leave a message or tribute to Mickey's family on the Web page under Obituaries.
Published Oct. 20, 2011, in The Gazette
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