Mitchell Pat McNeil

Mitchell Pat McNeil, 82, of Warner, South Dakota, passed away on his birthday, March 8, 2026, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, surrounded by his family.

Born on March 8, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Pat and Elois (Morgan) McNeil, Mitch grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School in 1963. He completed an apprenticeship with Carpenters Union Local 948 and earned his journeyman’s license. In 1966, he married Marilyn Witt in Remsen, Iowa. Together they raised two sons, David and Daniel, in Elk Point, South Dakota, where Mitch filled their childhood with adventures along the Missouri River and in its cattails, often joined by his lifelong friend Ken McDonald.

Mitch worked as a lineman for Clay Union Electric in Vermillion for five years before serving 23 years as Maintenance Supervisor for the Elk Point-Jefferson School District. After retiring, he moved to Warner to be closer to his sons’ families. He continued working summers at Moccasin Creek and Wylie Park. An avid outdoorsman, he shared his love of fishing, hunting, and hiking with his grandchildren on family trips to Canada, the Boundary Waters, and the Black Hills, especially enjoying hikes to Black Elk Peak. He was known for raising and training champion hunting dogs, including a Brittany Spaniel that earned first-place honors across the Midwest. A gifted carpenter, he crafted decoys, bird feeders, Adirondack chairs, canoe paddles, and many other pieces throughout his life.

Mitch was deeply proud of his sons and grandsons for their service to country and community. In his later years, he cherished pheasant, duck, and goose hunts with his sons and grandsons. He and Marilyn, married nearly 60 years, danced joyfully at their grandchildren’s weddings, where Mitch and the grandkids often stole the show with their Irish jigs. He was a proud great-grandfather to Harrison and Jensen and looked forward to the arrival of two more great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn McNeil; sons David (Jackie) McNeil and Dan (Sara) McNeil; grandchildren Dawson (Megan) McNeil, Riley (Maximo) Guillermo Garcia, Jackson (Cora) McNeil, Caleb (Brooklyn) McNeil, Carsten (Tehya) McNeil, Cullen McNeil, and Cambree McNeil; great-grandchildren Harrison McNeil, Jensen Guillermo Garcia, and two babies expected in September and July; and brother Todd McNeil. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Elois McNeil, and brother Steven McNeil.