Joseph Peele McNeill, Jr., 68, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2015 in a care facility in Welsh, LA.

Mr. McNeill was born on February 27, 1947 in Galveston, TX and was raised in Dallas, TX. He was a graduate of Hillcrest High School in 1965 and Austin College in Sherman, TX. He then moved to Mexico to study Spanish and Latin American History at the University of the Americas in Puebla. Upon returning to the states he attended East Texas State University in Commerce, TX and obtained a Master of Science in Library Science Degree (MSLS) in 1972. Mr. McNeill then moved to Marshall, TX to work for Wiley College as a Catalog Librarian from 1972 until 1974. In 1976 he decided to further his education in Baton Rouge at LSU, graduating in 1976 with a Master’s Degree in Library Science. He continued his career in Sherman, TX working for Austin College for three years. In 1979 Mr. McNeill moved to Wichita Falls, TX and began working at Midwestern State University as Head of Technical Services. This is when he met Linda Ann Hartshorn McNeill. They married on August 30, 1980 and in 1983, welcomed their daughter, Mary Lin McNeill and in 1984 made Lake Charles their home. Mr. McNeill retired in Library Administration after 26 years with McNeese State University and 20 years part-time with the Calcasieu Parish Public Library. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles for thirty years. He was an active member, serving as church librarian, choir member, deacon, and Bible Drill Team helper. He also served on various committees as well as taught Sunday school.

Mr. McNeill will be remembered for his stamp collecting and his joy for reading.

He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of 35 years, Linda Hartshorn McNeill; one daughter, Mary Lin McNeill of Lake Charles; two sisters, Jane McNeill Knight and husband Frank of Tulsa, OK and Laura McNeill Royall and husband Richard of Humble, TX; two nieces, Meridith Knight Roberts and husband Eric of Bentonville, AR and Wendy Royal of Conroe, TX; one nephew, Russell Knight and wife Debbie of Tulsa; four great nieces and one great nephew. He is also survived by his “family of heart” who blessed him by calling him "Grampy", Ethan and Michelle Miller and their children, Cameron and Paige and Kim Ballard Morris and her daughter, Breanna.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph P. McNeill, Sr. and Christine Evans McNeill.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Sunday, September 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend Charlie Granade will officiate. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation Saturday will be from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Visitation Sunday will be from 2:00 PM until the start of service in the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the McNeese Library; First Baptist Church or the IMB (International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention).