• October 7, 1929 - March 2, 2009

PLACE OF DEATH:Elkhart General Hospital
TIME OF DEATH1:50 P.M.
DATE OF DEATH:March 2, 2009
DATE OF BIRTH:October 7, 1929
PLACE OF BIRTHWarsaw, Indiana

PARENTS NAMES:James and Wadia (Bumgardner) McNeile

OCCUPATIONHe began his newspaper career in 1945 at the South Bend Tribune as a copy boy, and then later as reporter and TV editor. He then joined the Mishawaka Times when the paper started in 1961 and served as managing editor. On August 1, 1961 he joined the Truth Publishing Company as assistant to vice president and general manager. After serving in various news management positions he was named associate publisher in 1965 and then publisher in 1972. He also was vice president of Truth Publishing Company. In August 1980, he was named executive editor. His popular "Free Lance" column began in 1984 which included a variety of subjects. He retired form the Truth in 2001 after 40 years.

MARRIAGETheresa McNerney May 21, 1955 in South Bend, Indiana, she survives.

MEMBERSHIPS1947 graduate of John Adams High School, 1952 graduate of Indiana University was editor in chief of the Indiana Daily Student and received an Ernie Pyle scholarship in journalism. He served as a director of the Hoosier State Press Association, active in the Inland Daily Press Association, the American Newspaper Publishers Association, Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism society. He served as a director of Tower Federal Savings and Loan Association of South bend, member of the Elkhart and South Bend Chambers of Commerce, United Way of Elkhart County, Junior Achievement of Elkhart County St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Catholic Social Services of Ft. Wayne-South Bend, past president of the south Bend Press Club, member of the Elkhart Advisory Committee to Indiana University South Bend and the IU Journalism Alumni Council.

SURVIVORSWife: Theresa
Daughters: Erin (Bob) Martin of Maineville, Ohio; Sheila (Laurie) McNeile of Indianapolis, IN; Bridget (Tim) O'Toole of Elkhart
Sons: Jim (Barbara) McNeile of Overland Park, Kansas; Dan (Laurie) McNeile of Normal, Illinois; Matthew (Christine) McNeile of Alamogordo, New Mexico
Grandchildren: Adam, Jordan McNeile, Kelly, Megan, Ryan Martin, Matthew, Madison McNeile, Kelsey, Siobhan and Michael O'Toole
 

SERVICES:10:00 A.M. Friday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
MINISTER:Reverend William Sullivan
VISITATION:2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home where there will be a vigil service at 5:45 P.M., also visitation from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the church on Friday.
BURIAL:Cremation to follow
MEMORIALSSt. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

12/13/2022 EJS