John William McNeil

 It is with great sadness that the family of John William McNeil share the news that John passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 21st,  2021 at the age of 90.  John was born to Margaret (nee Cole) and Roy H. McNeil on his family farm on the Shackleton line and spent his whole life within a short distance from that farmhouse. 

John is survived by his wife Phyllis (nee Houghton), his daughters Karen  (Ron Murdoch) and Marcia (Scott Sutherland) his grandchildren Ryan (engaged to Stacie Hoover) and Sydney Murdoch, Bronwyn Stocks (Jamin) and Bart (Ciara) Sutherland and his 4 great-grandchildren Jacob and Benjamin Stocks and Macsen and Heidi Sutherland.  He is predeceased by his older sister Marion Parker and is survived by his younger sisters Janet Myers, Frances McNeil and Barbara McNeil.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

John was well known for his commitment to family, to farming and to the community of Dutton-Dunwich.  As a boy he was active with his father’s Hereford herd and continued that passion with his own herd which he tended until February of this year.  The McNeil family raised prize winning Hereford cattle for 113 years.  John also followed in his father’s footsteps with the family insurance business, still known as McNeil Insurance. He was involved in many local organizations, acting as the town clerk; as an elder in Knox St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church and as clerk of session; as President of the Ontario Hereford Association and as a member of the Cattlemen’s Association; the Highland Games Society; the Masons and the I.O.O.F.

John will be missed by his family and friends for his integrity, his abiding sense of fun; his warm smile and his kind and generous nature.

Family members will receive visitors at the Arn Funeral Home 193 Shackleton St Dutton [519-762-2416]  from 12:30 – 1:30 on Monday September 27th (masks are required).   A private service will be held at 2 pm at Knox St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church. 

This service will be livestreamed by using this address: https://vimeo.com/612703586

Donations in John’s memory may be made to Knox St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Benevolent Fund or to the Daffodil Society Welfare fund, at the Funeral Home.  No flowers by request of the family.

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