John R. Neill, 83 of Celina, formerly of Ottawa, died at 8:10 p.m. March 20, 2007, at The Gardens at Celina.

He was born March 20, 1924, in Leipsic, to Ora J. and Vera Polsdorfer Neill. On July 5, 1950, he married Claire E. Komara, who survives in Celina.

Also surviving are two sons, John W. (Eileen), Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Samuel M., Annapolis, Md; a brother, Robert (Nancy), Sun City, Az.; and a grandson.

He retired from Continental Insurance Company as an insurance adjuster in 1983, and worked as a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lorain. A 1941 graduate of Palmer Township High School, Miller City, he was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of World War II, flying 26 bombing missions out of England with the 8th Air Force Bomb Group 708th Squardron. He reenlisted in the Army in 1947 and served with the 66th Counter Intelligence Corps in Germany until 1951. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post 210, of Celina, and National Rifle Association.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Arthur Wilde officiating. Burial is at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Crow Cemetery, Ottawa, where military rites will be conducted.

Calling is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church builder's or scholarship fund.