Neil O. Rider

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Indiana University

Neil Rider Obituary

DECATUR - Neil O. Rider, 88, P.O.W. during WWII, of Decatur, formerly of Indiana and Lynchburg, VA, died Wednesday, February 4, 2009. 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. View the online obituary and send condolences to the family at: www.moranandgoebel.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/ herald-review/Obituaries. asp

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Published by Decatur Herald & Review from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Neil Rider

9 Entries

February 10, 2009

I will write more this weekend. I am working out of town this week and will have more time this sat.
thinking of you, Toni Farrell ( daughter Of Earl Griffin NC POW/MIA

Mark Dougherty

February 8, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathy upon the passing of your beloved Husband and Father. By the entries in this guestbook it is obvious that Neil lived a life of courage, honor and commitment. I am very thankful for this courageous Marine's lifetime of service to this great country. May God bless you and your entire family during this most difficult time.

Mark Dougherty
Sergeant
USMC

Joe Leeper

February 8, 2009

We want to express our condolences to the Rider family. Especially Alan and family. Alan has lived in our area for several year and
is a very kind and coonsiderate person. I never knew Mr. Rider, but Alan spoke of him often in recent times. My hat is off to his memory for the trials and tribulations he endured.
Joe Leeper
Mt. Auburn,IL

Your North China Marine brothers

February 7, 2009

We want to express our condolences to Neil's family. Your loss is felt by the entire North China Marine family. The bonds forged so long ago will never be broken-in this life or beyond. To Ridersan we say goodbye. To a brother POW we say - Semper Fi!

alan rider

February 7, 2009

He (Dad) was my hero. He spared us all the details of his POW experience as we were growing up. See Northchinamarines.com if you want to learn more.....

Carolyn Noonan

February 6, 2009

Rest peacefully, Marine. I am deeply honored and proud to have known such a valiant patriot. A kind and gentle spirit who made a lasting impression on my life. I truly appreciate the sacrifice of Neil and his fellow Marines. The gift of freedom cannot be measured.

God bless him. And God bless your family in this sad time.

Saepe Expertus
Semper Fidelis
Fratres Aeterni

Carolyn Noonan & Millie Kirk

Susie Salazar

February 6, 2009

My father, Mathew Stohlman, was a radioman buddy of Mr. Rider's in Tientsin, China, when the war began. They were in the radio station together on that fateful morning. My father wrote in his diary: "I was in the radio station making final preparation for evacuation. Pfc. Neil O. Rider was at the radio circuit when an urgent message came through Peiping and had originally come from the Secretary of the Navy at Washington D.C. The message read: 'Execute WPL (number) against Japan.' Immediately when I read it I exclaimed 'Hell! That means war!'--and it did...We were still in communication by radio with Peiping but Radio Chinwangtao was forced to secure at about 11:15 A.M. When the operaterator at Camp Holcomb secured he said: "Good night, Rider."
Goodnight, Rider, my Dad's old buddy. Rest in peace.

Carl Utley

February 6, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Neil was first manager at GE and his philosophies on business and life guided me thoughout my career.

Virginia Crews

February 6, 2009

Know that my prayers are with you at this time. May God be with you and comfort you.
Sincerely,
Virginia Crews(widow of T. G. Crews,
North China Marines EX-POWs)

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