Yolo County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....NEEL , Edwin E. “Ed”  February 8 2001
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net July 15, 2004, 12:37 am

“Winters Express,” Thursday, February 22, 2001
Edwin E. “Ed” Neel

Edwin E. “Ed” Neel, 81, a 12-year Wenatchee resident, passed away on Thursday,
Feb. 8, 2001 at Central Washington Hospital following a sudden illness.

He was born on April 25, 1919 in Woodland, to Dewey and Mabel (Rockwell) Neel. 
He was raised and received his early education at Winters, prior to attending
high school at Vacaville.  He graduated from Vacaville High School in 1937.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1939 and served in the Eastern and
Middle Eastern operations during the early stages of World War II.  He was
promoted to tech sergeant and had been serving as crew chief and flight engineer
aboard B-24 bombers.  In the summer of 1943, he returned stateside to Winters,
on leave and there he was married to his sweetheart, Dorothy I. Martin on July
18, 1943.  Throughout the remainder of World War II, he received several
assignments and projects.  He had graduated from Officer Candidate School and
was maintenance officer for the B-29 Training Squad at Randolph Field, Texas at
the end of World War II.  In April of 1951, he was promoted to captain and in
April of 1953 assigned to chief of heavy aircraft maintenance at March AFB,
where he was in charge of maintenance of the B-36, B-29, B-50 and B-52s.  He was
also a project officer for the B-52 around-the-world flight.  In September of
1960, he was assigned duty as reliability and maintainability officer of
Minuteman Missiles at Offutt, Nebraska and while there was promoted to Lt. Colonel.

He retired in September of 1964 and then returned to Winters.  He served the
community as a school board member, city council member, was the mayor for two
terms and had served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the County
Chamber.  He also served as a church elder and a volunteer fireman.  The Neels
remained in Winters, until moving to Wenatchee in April 1989.  They have since
remained in Wenatchee.

Edwin was a member of Central Christian Church and Wenatchee V.R.W. Post 3617. 
He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, a 32nd Degree and a
Scottish Rite Mason.

He enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, the outdoors and gardening.  He was a good
builder, enjoyed his workshop and working on engines.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy I Neel, Wenatchee; three children and their
spouses, Lt. Col., U.S.A.F., Retired, Edwin E. Neel, Jr., and his wife Cheryl of
Sterling, Virginia; Karen and her husband, Lt. Col., U.S.A.F., Retired, Robert
Brown of Oakton, Virginia, and Allen and Donna Neel of Nampa, Idaho; one sister,
Virginia Yarberry, Willets; and four grandchildren, Scott Neel, Alexandra,
Virginia; Laura Brown and Timothy Brown, both of Oakton, Virginia, and Sean
Neel, Nampa, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside inurnment services were held in Evergreen Memorial Park on Tuesday,
Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. with Rev. David Kleinfeldt officiating.

Friends who wish may make memorial donations in his name to the Central
Christian Church Memorial Fund.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the “Winters Express,” 312 Railroad Ave.,
Winters, CA 95694.  

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