  Donald Lee Neill 25 January 1925 - 23 April 1939 Travis Odell Neill 4 July 1928 - 23 April 1939
Van Alstyne Leader April 27, 1939 TWO BOYS DROWN IN LAKE WHEN BOAT SPRINGS LEAK Donald Lee And Odell Neill Are Drowning Victims Services Held Monday At Baptist Church ______________ Travis Odell Neill, 9, and Donald Lee Neill, 14, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Neill who reside at Elmont, five miles west of Van Alstyne, were drowned in Gunter Lake, 12 miles west of here, shortly after midnight, Saturday night, while fishing with an uncle, Herman McDonald. The three had rowed practically to the middle of the lake when the boat sprang a leak and the three decided to hold on to the sides of the boat and push it back to the shore. The smaller youth lost his grip on the boat and went under. Donald made an attempt to save his brother but became frantic and tried to carry his uncle under. McDonald made an unsuccessful attempt to save either of the boys and swam to shore for help. The incident happened shortly after midnight. Workmen hunted during the entire night for the bodies without success. The body of Travis Odell Neill was found at 6:30 Sunday morning and the body of Donald Odell [sic Lee] Neill was found at 8:30 Sunday morning. Both were brought to the Fox-Fanning undertaking parlor here. Travis Odell Neill was born July 4, 1929, near Van Alstyne and had lived in the Elmont community all his life. He was a student of the fifth grade in the local school. Donald Lee Neill was born January 11, 1925, near Van Alstyne and had resided in the Elmont Community all his life. He was a student in the eighth grade of the local school and was also a member of the high school band. Survivors include two brothers, Coyt Neill of Van Alstyne and Alton Neill of Center; three sisters, Dot Neill and Alta Neill of Dallas and Anita Jo Neill at home; grandmothers, Mrs. A. J. Neill and Mrs. J. A. McDonald of Van Alstyne, and the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Neill. Pallbearers were: Raymond Nixon, Byron Whitaker, Harry Hunter, Paul O'Brien, Jack Williams, C.C. Jones, James Evans, Douglas and Billy Parish.  Van Alstyne Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any links inoperable, please send me a message. |
