GEORGE NEILSON JR.

JACKSON, Mo. -- George Robert Neilson Jr., 79, of Jackson passed away Sunday, March 4, 2001, at his home.

He was born Dec. 22, 1921, in St. Louis, son of George Robert and Mary Wilson Neilson Sr. He and Viola Call were married July 22, 1950, at Marble Hill, Mo. She preceded him in death Nov. 9, 2000.

Neilson was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, where he formerly served as chairman of the administrative board and on many other committees.

Mr. and Mrs. Neilson lived in O'Fallon, Ill., after they were married, and later moved to Urbana, Ill., where he attended the University of Illinois.

They returned to Missouri where he managed Jackson Farm Bureau. After moving to Centralia, Ill., he worked for Rose Exterminating Co. Upon returning to Jackson Mr. Neilson managed Feeders Warehouse. In 1966 he opened his own exterminating business in Jackson known as Neil's Pest Control Service.

He was a former member of Jackson Chamber of Commerce, serving on the agriculture committee many years.

Mr. Neilson was a member of Excelsior Masonic Lodge 441 in Jackson, where he was a past worshipful master and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also a member of High Twelve, member and past worthy patron of Eastern Star 91 of Jackson, and member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

Mr. Neilson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1940 to 1946. He actively took part in the Battle of Midway aboard the USS Yorktown battleship.

Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Donna Neilson of San Antonio, Texas, Doris Koeberl and husband Dennis of Jackson; a brother, Carl Neilson of Texas; two half brothers, Allen Asselmeier of Albuquerque, N.M., Francis Asselmeier of Columbia, Ill.; three half sisters, Dorris Lincoln of Marble Hill, Mary Schneider of Columbia, Ill., Doris England of Detroit, Mich.; two granddaughters, Kristy Kennon and husband Michael of Ballwin, Mo., and Kara Koeberl of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Fordyce Neilson of San Diego, Calif.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, with a Masonic service at 7.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery at Jackson, with military honors.

Memorial donations may be given to New McKendree United Methodist Church or Southeast Hospice.