Col. Stephen R. Neiley Jr, 78, April 8, 2008
04/11/2008
Col. Stephen R Neiley Jr,, 78, USAF (retired), well-known resident of Asylum Township, Towanda RR 2, Pa., passed away at home Tuesday evening April 8, 2008, with his loving family around him after losing a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born May 14, 1929, in Sayre, Pa., he was the son of the late Stephen R Neiley Sr. and Mary Katherine Russell Neiley.
He began his military career in the Navy ROTC at Cornell University after graduating from Towanda High School in 1947.
On June 10, 1950, he married the former Emma Dell “Frankie” Kolb of Sweet Water, Tex, in San Angelo, Texas.
He was honorably discharged from the Navy and joined the Air Force on Oct. 28, 1950. During his career Steve and his family traveled to assignments at many bases in many countries, with his children born in San Antonio, Texas, and Norwich and Norfolk, England.
While serving his country, Steve received many honors including the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars. He was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
In the book “In Search of Daedalus” by William S. Clarke the character of “Super-cool Steve” was based on the exploits of Stephen Neiley while flying his 100 missions over North Vietnam.
Steve retired from the Air Force on Oct. 31, 1979, at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
Upon retirement he returned to his childhood home in Durell, Pa., where he and his wife, Frankie, were very active in the Towanda American Legion. Steve was instrumental in the expansion of the Bradford County Airport, with the new hangar being dedicated in his name.
Steve was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Towanda, and a past post commander of Towanda American Legion Post 42. He was an active member of the 40/8 Locale 549 as Chef De Gare Passe. Steve remained active with the IOOF Lodge 1152 in Wysox until his declining health prevented his participation.
He loved flying, and enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow, bowling, fishing, hunting, and raising and showing Schnauzers. Steve was an avid golfer who once played in a ProAM tournament with Ben Hogan as a partner. Steve was a champion skeet shooter. He was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame.
He is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Emma (Frankie) Neiley, at home; daughter, Nancy N. Miller of Hackettstown, N.J.; son, Stephen R. Neiley III of Towanda RR 2; daughter and son-in-law, Francys N. Hoffman and Bruce Hoffman of Standing Stone, Pa.; grandchildren, Andrea N. Martin and her husband, William, David A Neiley and his wife, Katie, Andrew R Neiley and his wife, Lacie, Stephen R Neiley IV and his wife, Amanda, Melina A. Hoffman, Jonathan D. Hoffman and Kelly M. Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Emma L. Martin, Zealand Neiley and Jamie Neiley; an aunt, Nina Neiley of Towanda; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Neiley Burkhart.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, Pa. Wysox Lodge No. 1152 IOOF will hold a memorial service at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. `Locale 549 40 et 8 will assemble at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Saturday for an honorary pass and review.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Christ Episcopal Church, Main Street, Towanda, with the Rev. Maureen Hipple, rector, as celebrant.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to Guthrie Hospice, Guthrie Square, Sayre, Pa. 18840, or to the American Cancer Society, Bradford Unit, 1948 E. Third St., Williamsport, Pa. 17701, or to the Bradford County Regional Airport, Towanda, Pa. 18848, in Col. Stephen R. Neiley’s memory.