Neil O. Rider's Obituary
Neil O. Rider, 88, P.O.W. during WWII, of Decatur, formerly of Indiana and Lynchburg, VA, died Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
Neil was born October 10, 1920, in Larwill, IN, to Albert Rider, Sr. and Elma Stump.
Neil proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during WWII for six and a half years; during which time he was a prisoner of war for over three and a half years. He was a graduate of Indiana University. He retired from General Electric, after dedicating his entire working career to the company. He enjoyed being a member of the Appalachian Trail Club, and was an avid hiker and outdoorsman. Neil often said, “Going to the mountains is like going home.” He will soon be going home. He was a loving father and a devoted husband for over 50 years to his wife, Bea, who preceded him in death in 2000.
He is survived by his two sons, Alan Rider, and wife Debbie, of Mount Auburn, IL; Eric B. Rider, and wife Trish, of Baton Rouge, LA; three grandchildren, Steven; Timothy, and wife Michelle; and Laura; two great grandchildren; five siblings, Norma Roose of North Webster, IN; Arden Rider, and wife Esther, of Pierceton, IN; Albert “Bugs” Rider, Jr., and wife, Alice, of North Webster, IN; Joy Anderson, and husband Jim, of Jeffersonville, IN; and Bobby Rider, and wife, Melinda, of Augusta, GA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Bea; and one brother, George Rider.
Memorial service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, February 8, 2009, in North Webster United Methodist Church, North Webster, IN. Memorials may be made to: The Wilderness Society, 1615 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036; Sierra Club, 85 Second Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94105; or, Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301.
The family of Neil O. Rider is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, Il.
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