Francis Joseph McNeeley

Francis “Frank” Joseph McNeeley, 91, of Columbia, MD, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2009. Mr. McNeeley was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 17, 1917 and was the son of the late Patrick McNeeley and Ella (Treacy) McNeeley. Mr. McNeeley was one of the original “pioneers” of Columbia and moved his family here in 1969. He was an active member of St. Johns Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus especially devoted to the Eucharistic Ministry for the Sick. He was one of the original Boy Scout Leaders for the Columbia area. Mr. McNeeley was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army Air Corp attached to the 877 Bomb Squad group and flew over 24 missions in the Far East. He was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross. After 45 years of service to the federal government, Mr. McNeeley retired from the Department of Defense in 1986. He loved dancing reading, music, gardening, woodworking and traveling. Above all he cherished time spent with his family especially on vacations. The most special time was an annual tree decorating held with family and friends. He was a dance instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Cleveland Ohio. He loved reading and was an intellectual in history chronicles and other diverse music. His love of music was diverse but he especially loved the sound of Irish, Big Band and Classical tunes. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Vivian M. McNeeley; loving father of Maureen Wise and her husband, Les of Preston, MD, Sharon Dickerson and her husband, John of Marietta, GA, Kevin T. McNeeley and his wife, Marcia of Columbia, MD, Nora Claudias and her husband, Lenny of Columbia, MD, Treacy McNeeley of Columbia, MD, James McNeeley of Salisbury, MD, Frank McNeeley of Columbia, MD, Cherell McNeeley of Columbia, MD and the late Colleen Powers; devoted grandfather of 17 grandchildren and 13 great - grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Patrick McNeeley of Lakeland, FL and three sisters, Ella Wulf of West Simsbury, CT, Margaret Schuerger of Brooke Park, OH and Kathleen Kitko of Cleveland, OH. Friends will be received at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Cremation and Funeral Care, P.A., 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, on Thursday, February 12, 2009 and on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044 on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD.

Francis Joseph McNeeley

December 17, 1917 - February 9, 2009