William G. McNeelan, Jr., 94, Holton

William G. McNeelan, Jr., 94 of Holton passed away at 8:30pm, Monday, April 23, 2018 at Westminster Village in Muncie. He was born at Holton on August 3, 1923 the son of William G. Sr. and Madge Ensminger McNeelan. He was married to Mary Jane Clerkin of North Vernon on November 2, 1947 and his wife of 70 years survives. Other survivors include one daughter Marsha (Kevin) Kile of Muncie; one grandson Greg (Jennifer) Kile of Albany; two great-grandsons Javin and William Kile. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Martin McNeelan, Sr., and his sisters Neva Jane Snider and Genevieve Curry. Mr. McNeelan was a 1941 graduate of Holton High School and was a Navy veteran of both WWII and the Korean War. He was sworn into the Navy on December 31, 1942 and served as a Radioman First Class in Oahu and Guam and was discharged on January 27, 1946. He reenlisted on November 20, 1950 and was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy a second time on July 5, 1951. For service to his country Bill received the Asiatic Pacific Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Unit Commendation Medal. In civilian life Mr. McNeelan attended and was a 1948 graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis. He was a funeral director in the Holton and Versailles area for over 60 years beginning in partnership with Ern Duke at Holton in 1952. In 1957 he along with Clifford Smith formed the McNeelan & Smith Funeral Home and David Akers joined the firm in 1973. In 1980 he joined with the Bovard Funeral Home in Versailles and beginning in 2002 he worked with the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles until his retirement in 2012. Mr. McNeelan operated McNeelan’s Hardware in Holton for several years and was also in business with his father operating McNeelan’s Cash Store in Holton. Bill was a life long member of the Holton United Methodist Church, a 72 year member of the Holton Masonic Lodge, a member of the Versailles American Legion, and a former and long time member of the Holton Fire Department. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Holton Water Corporation in 1976 and was a long time board member. Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 28th at 11am at the Holton United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be on Friday from 5pm to 7pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10am until time of services Saturday at the church. The Holton Masonic Lodge will conduct services at 7pm Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Holton United Methodist Church or the Holton Cemetery in care of the funeral home.