Rev. Keith McNeill

Rev. Keith Leslie McNeill, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 8, 2009. He was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on June 9, 1912, a son of the late James L. and Anna (Brumfiel) McNeill. He was preceded in death by brothers, Robert and James McNeill, his wife, Marjorie, and a son, Douglas McNeill.

On July 30, 1939, he married Marjorie G. Bosley in Aberdeen, South Carolina. Surviving are three daughters, Loralee McNeill of Lake Worth, Florida, Susie (William) Harvey of Valley Hi, Ohio, and Becky Callender of Columbus, Ohio; a grandson, Van (Vicki) Harvey of Huntsville, Ohio, and four great-grandchildren, Jordan, Brandon, Katie and Keith Harvey; a sister-in-law, Ruth McNeill of Richmond, Indiana, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Rev. McNeill was raised in Richmond, Indiana, having moved there six months after his birth. He received his B.S. Degree from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1935, and his Master of Divinity Degree from Christian Theology Seminary, Indianapolis in 1938.

He served four years as a Home Mission Pastor at the Bethany Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota; five years as Minister of the West Side Church of Christ in Dayton, Ohio; thirty-two years as Minister of the First Christian Church in Bellefontaine. He retired in 1979. After retirement, he served as interim minister to three different churches.

He was very active in the local community. He was one of the founders of the Logan County Weekday Religious Education program, the Volunteer Hospital Chaplaincy program at Mary Rutan Hospital, and the Tri-County Community Action Commission. He was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as President in 1961.

He was also a leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denominations, serving as President of the Ohio Society of Christian Churches, member of the Regional Board, State Commission on the Ministry, District General Chairman, and faculty member of youth camp.

Rev. Robert Callender and Rev. Michael Valentine will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the First Christian Church in Bellefontaine, where calling will be from 9 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment will follow at the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church 215 East Sandusky Ave. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.

Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com

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