Vernon Austin McNeel, 84, of Lincoln, NE, formerly of Hershey, NE, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Bryan East in Lincoln.

Vernon was born November 7, 1929, to William Agustus and Ada Bigham McNeel at North Platte, NE and grew up north of Hershey on the Birdwood Creek. Vernon attended school at District 36 and later the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, NE.

In 1951 Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1954. Following his discharge he returned to Hershey where he helped his dad farm and helped build Highway 30 from Ogallala to near Hershey. Vernon later worked in a variety of jobs which included driving a grain truck, working for the oil rigs in Kimball, NE, hiring on with the Union Pacific Railroad with the Maintenance of Way for a short time and driving coast to coast for Crown Prince. He later worked for Consolidated Freight Way, retiring from there in October 1994.

Vernon married Peggy JoAnn Bolton on November 7, 1954, at Sutherland, NE where they made their home until moving to Lincoln in 1980.

Vernon was a 60 year member of Otto V. Johnson Post #208 American Legion and a member of the Teamsters Union.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy, of Lincoln; two daughters, Ada (Terry) Hopken, of Ogallala and Kay McNeel, of Scottsdale, AZ; four grandchildren, LeDonna Spongberg, Gena Roth, Michelle Hopken and JoAnna (Dr. Richard) Markiewicz; eight great-grandchildren, Blake, Gianna, Mikilos, Sienna, Savannah, Collin Jay, Alexander and Rowan Mae; his brother, Russell (Mildred) McNeel, of Yuma, AZ; a brother-in-law, Frank (Joan) Bonta, of North Platte; two nieces, four nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ada.

Graveside memorial service with military honors will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2014, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with JA Welsh officiating. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Wounded Warrior Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.