Neil was born January 24, 1945 in Clarke County and died of cancer on January 30, 2006 in the loving care of Middle River Hospice and the Westbridge Care and Rehab Center in Winterset, Iowa.

Neil graduated from the second class of I-35 School District in 1963 and was an outstanding athlete there. He was I-35's first football quarterback, played basketball, baseball and received the Bar Association award for citizenship. He was awarded a baseball scholarship at Simpson College in Indianola where he also belonged to the Delta Epsilon Fraternity. Neil received a BA Degree in Physical Education in 1967 and taught at Clear Creek Community for a few years, until health problems forced him to retire from teaching. He lived with his parents and worked on the farm with his dad. He became a golfer and for 25 years organized his own Invitational Tournaments. He was a member of the Osceola Country Club where he spent many hours.

After his mother's death and the sale of the family farm, he made his home near his sister, Erma and her husband Melvin where they offered support until his illness led him to a home at Westbridge in Winterset. For nearly six months, he loved and was nurtured and loved by the staff and residents of Westbridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Irene Snider; his nephew, Winton Heckman; and a niece by marriage, Cindy Heckman. He is also survived by his two sisters and their husbands, Erma and Melvin Heckman of St. Charles and Mona and Don Cooper of Adel; his 6 nieces and nephews, Wendy Heckman of Plantation, FL, Wendell Heckman of New Virginia, Wanita (Jim) Steinberger of Waukee, Wesley Heckman of St. Charles, Michelle Cooper-Hammerberg of Adel, and Mike (Michelle Marie) Cooper of Altoona; a niece by marriage, Valerie Heckman; 14 grandnieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made Westbridge Care and Rehab Center or Middle River Hospice of Winterset, Iowa.