Marion A. Mcneal

MARION A. MCNEAL, 78 ROCKFORD - Marion Anna McNeal, 78, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died at 8:06 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, in Alden Alma Nelson Manor due to complications from Parkinsons disease. She was surrounded by family. Born March 15, 1929, in Rockford to Casper and Anna (Youngquist) Jacobson, she married Dale Burdette McNeal on Sept. 19, 1947 in Rockford. He died June 19, 1998. She is survived by four daughters, Marilyn (Denver) Waddell of Kingston, Anna (Bryce) Russell of Rockford, Linda Scherbarth of Rockford, and Christine McNeal of Milwaukee, Wis.; and two sons, Steven (Virginia) McNeal of Lake Geneva, Wis., and Donald (Carol Ann) McNeal of Florida; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marion Downey of Belvidere and Anita Marion of Wisconsin; two dear sisters-in-law, Dawn Snyder of Wisconsin, and Margaret McNeal of Monroe Center; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marion formerly ran a beauty salon in her rural Kirkland home, and retired from GTE Automatic in Genoa after 25 years. She later lived in Genoa for several years before returning to Rockford after the death of her husband. While a member of First Lutheran Church of Kirkland, Marion began an annual Christmas celebration for residents of Sheltered Village. She also started a clothes closet at the church to aid local people in need. An avid camper, Marion managed The Oaks campground in rural Clinton, Wis., for several years. Her hobbies included crocheting and other crafts. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson; stepmother Alma Tews; four brothers; and three sisters. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, December 3, 2007 at Salem Lutheran Church, 1629 S. 6th St, with visitation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, and from noon until the time of service at the church on Monday. Mr. Dale Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Garden of Memories in Belvidere. Memorials may be made to the family. The funds will be placed in the Dale B. and Marion A. McNeal Character Scholarship Fund at Belvidere Bank in Kirkland.