Obituary of H. Wendell McNeely

H. Wendell McNeely, age 84, of Yankton, SD passed away very unexpectedly while visiting his son in San Diego, CA on February 19, 2014.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, February 28, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD with Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a video tribute and then Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Wendell McNeely was born on a farm south of Avon, SD on November 11th, 1929, to Hugh and Gloria (Ward) McNeely. He grew up in Springfield, SD, helping his family in the family bus business. He also drove a bus for various bus companies through the years. Wendell attended Springfield Elementary, Springfield High School, and received a BS Degree from Southern State College and a Master's Degree from the University of South Dakota. He served his country in the Korean War and then began his career in Education. He worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent for forty years at Redfield, Pickstown, Parkston, Yankton, Lake Norden, Hazel, and Lemmon. Wendell married Loraine Heisinger at Parkston on June 4th, 1955. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion, Retired Teachers, Yankton Forum, Elks, Senior Citizens Center, Hickory Stick Association, and was a life member of SDEA. He was a Team volunteer for Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, an usher at Sacred Heart Church, a Shiine volunteer, and he taught 55 Alive Safe Driving courses. Wendell was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge in numerous bridge clubs and at the Senior Center. He especially enjoyed his morning coffee group at Hy-Vee and the visiting sessions with his many friends in the evening. He leaves his wife, Loraine, and five sons: Dr. Kevin (Nancy) of Poway, CA, Kurtes of Alameda, CA, Kraig (Scarlett) of Yankton, SD, Kory (Brenda) of Pittsburg, CA, and Kelly of San Jose, CA; nine grandchildren: Steven, Jacob, Shawn, Sheryl, Sheline, Tara, Arron, Samuel McNeely, and Shanice Smith; five great grandchildren: Matthew and Daniel McNeely, Jamisen and Genevie Vollin, and Cole Smith. He also leaves two brothers, Arlon (Marilyn) McNeely of Springfield, SD, and Don (Mary) McNeely of Tabor, SD; one sister, Jean Becker of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister-in-law, Ethel Gramm of Mitchell, SD; forty nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, an infant sister, four brothers-in-law: Waldo Becker, Merlin Gramm, Herman Schmidt, and Ed Heisinger, and sisters-in-law, Margaret Heisinger and Alice Schmidt. Memorials are directed to Sacred Heart School, 509 Capitol Street, Yankton, SD 57078, Attention: Foundation Office.