Edward "Mac" Joseph McNeil, was born July 28, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Leo and Madeline (Barry) McNeil and departed this life at 1:05 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in the Dixon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Edward had attained the age of 84 years and 2 days.
Edward was preceded in death by his grandparents who came from Ireland; his parents, and his only sister, Ruth "Peg" Doran of New Hampshire.

Edward was baptized and confirmed at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Boston. He attended Catholic schools and upon high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy for four years. At the end of his Navy enlistment, he enlisted in the United States Army and served for over 21 years, retiring in 1974. He served in Korea and Vietnam receiving the following awards and medals: Unit Citation, Rifle and Carbine Marksmanship Badges, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Master Parachutist, Purple Heart, National Defense Medal w/Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal w/2 Bronze Knots, Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal WWII, WWII Victory Commemorative, WWII Occupation-Army, United Nations Korean Service, Korean Service Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device, Army Commendation Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the China Service Medal. Following his military career, Edward served as a Deputy Marshall for Dixon in the 1980's. He then accepted an engineering position at Fort Leonard Wood at Post Engineers from which he retired because of health problems. When his health improved, he raised cattle, which he truly enjoyed.

Edward married Kathy Lee Jones in 1973 and Patrick Charles was born of this union. He and Kathy raised his older sons, Edward Joseph, Jr., Kevin Barry, and Brian William.

He loved being a husband and a "Dad" and enjoyed fishing in his lake and watching football. He was active in the Dixon Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Commander for 7 years.

Those left to mourn Edward's passing include: his wife, Kathy McNeil, Dixon; four sons, Edward Jr., St. Louis; Kevin of Rolla, Brian and Patrick of Dixon; three daughters, Patricia and Marlene of Florida and Laura of Pennsylvania; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Mary Jones, Dixon; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Edward at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2013, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Pastor Michael Mann, St. Louis and Fr. John Groner, Bellarmine Catholic Church, St. Robert, officiating.

Interment with full military honors was in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers were United States Army Personell. Honorary pallbearers were Edward McNeil, Jr., Kevin McNeil, Brian McNeil, Patrick McNeil, Brandon McNeil, William McNeil, Ken Forrest and Bill Campbell.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Dixon Veterans of Foreign Wars with envelopes available at the office of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon.