John Benjamin McNeely

John B. McNeely, age 85, of Coshocton, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital in Newark, Ohio. He was born on February 14, 1930 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Norma (Neihaus) Shirley and George McNeely. Many people knew him as John but some called him J.B, Mac, or even Maytag. In 1946, John graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, IN at age 16. He went to work for Commercial Bank until 1948 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. John served in Finance and Comptroller Division throughout his career. His travels took him to Biggs AFB, in Texas, Morocco, Africa, England, Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan, Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland, SAC Hdq. Offutt AFB in Nebraska, and AF Reserve Hdq.at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. John retired in 1974 as Chief Masters Sergeant, Accounting and Finance Supervisor at Offutt AFB in Nebraska after 26 years of service. After he retired, John moved his family to Coshocton. He became manager of the new SOHIO/BP Car Wash on the corner of Walnut and Seventh Street; working there for 17 ½ years. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing golf and bowling. John was an avid reader and he had nuggets of information that were challenging and thought provoking. He was a member of the Coshocton Elks #376 and AMVETS Post #36 for many years. On September 30, 1956 he married Joan Mathews at Grace United Methodist Church. Along with his wife of 58 years, John is survived by his three children, Jill (Dave) McQuaide of Columbus, Jeff McNeely and Jeri (Scott) Dawson of Coshocton; two grandchildren, Samantha McNeely and Hunter Haas both of Coshocton; one great-grandchild, Hendrix; sister, Patricia Greenfield of Evansville, IN; brother David Shirley of Evansville, IN and Roy and George McNeely both of Oregon and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Don McNeely and sister Carol Carter and two half-sisters. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Given-Dawson Funeral Home from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with the Coshocton Elks #376 conducting services beginning at 12:50 pm. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm at South Lawn Cemetery with the Coshocton Veterans Council conduction military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the America Cancer Society, AMVETS Post #36, Coshocton Elks #376, or to Grace United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawsonfuneralhome.com.