Obituary of George McNeill

View Video Tribute Longtime Burlington, Colorado resident George H. McNeill, passed away on April 17, 2007 at the Camellia Care Center in Aurora, Colorado. He was 86 years old. George Herman McNeill, son of Evans Rush and Marie Anna McNeill, was born on May 18, 1920 in Thurston County, Nebraska and was baptized on September 12, 1920. In 1931, his family moved from Walthill, Nebraska to Show Low, Arizona. Because of the Great Depression, in 1933, his family moved to Burlington, Colorado. George rode horse back all the way, which took forty seven days. George graduated from Burlington High School in 1940. He joined the United States Army right after graduation. On December 6, 1940, he was sent to Ft. Ord, California and was then sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where he met Wava Dorene Bridges. They were united in marriage on February 5, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was shipped out to France, then to Okinawa. He was honorably discharged on December 24, 1945. They had two children; Thomas George and Donna Marie. Throughout his life, George believed in serving his community. He helped build the local mortuary and hospital and served as City Marshall and Under Sheriff. What he was most proud of was serving on the Colorado State Patrol fro 22 ½ years, from which he retired. George took pleasure working in his garden. Most of all, George enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and hunt. He spent a lot of time following his grandchildren and great grandchildren to all of their school activities. He also loved spending time playing with his great grandchildren. George is preceded in death by both parents, his brother William “Buckâ€? McNeill and his daughter Donna Marie Mireles. He is survived by his wife Wava of the home, son Tom and his wife Sandy, brother Carl McNeill, grandson Sean Mireles and his wife Brooke, great grandchildren Kenna, granddaughter Kimberly Kent and her husband Earl, grandson Shea Mireles and his wife Lanna, great grandchildren Alexandra, Shane and Shadd, and grandson Lance McNeill and his wife Caroline. Funeral services for Mr. McNeill were held on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 2:30 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington with Pastor Bill Viergutz officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the Church. Memorials may be made in George’s name to the Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Burlington VFW Post # 6491 and may be left at the Bank of Burlington in Burlington.