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McNeill, Jr.
Albert Joseph Hawthorne McNeill, Jr., 84, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 in Monticello from lung cancer.
Albert was born May 21, 1925 at John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, Iowa. He was the son of Albert J. H. McNeill Sr. and Harriet Smith McNeill. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1943 and enrolled briefly at the State University of Iowa . Albert soon enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 102nd Infantry Division. He attained the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in combat.
Following the war, he returned to SUI and earned a degree in Economics. In 1948, he married Gail Huibregtse of Monticello, with whom he raised five children. They were married 61 years.
Albert worked with his father in retail hardware. He became sole proprietor of the family business following his father's death in 1956 and for decades was a staple in Monticello's downtown. Albert sold hardware and bicycles to generations of Eastern Iowans and worked until just weeks before his death. McNeill Hardware will celebrate its centennial year in business in 2010.
Albert was active in the Monticello community. He was a Rotarian for 56 years and served on the Great Jones County Fair Board for more than 40 years. He was known for his sense of humor and his love of music. He was a member of the Cedar Rapids New Horizons Band.
He is survived by his wife, Gail; his sister, Josephine (Gene) Ferrara of Monticello; daughter, Michael Deaver of Pocatello, Idaho; four sons, Mark (Sheila) of Shakopee, Minn., David of Monticello, Tom (Brenda) of Plymouth, Minn., John of Madison, Wis.; and nine grandchildren.
His body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Monticello Emergency Medical Team, PO Box 41, Monticello, Iowa, the New Horizons Band, or the Monticello Public Library.
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