Terry Michael McNeese, 73

Terry Michael McNeese died at Peppi’s Hospice Home in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 24, 2019.
Terry battled Stage 4 lung cancer for three years with courage and fortitude through many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He was continually surrounded by family and friends.
He was born in Belvidere, Ill., on June 17, 1945. Terry attended Marengo High School and upon graduation entered the United States Air Force from 1964-1968. Terry met his wife, Gretchen Saladin McNeese, in 1969 while Gretchen was attending Northern Illinois University. The two were married Aug. 15, 1970. In 1970 Terry owned and operated Beard & Stovall on the Woodstock Square with his partner Rich Mann. Terry later became sole owner of Beard & Stovall until 1998.
Terry loved his work in the men’s clothing industry, but enjoyed fishing at the family Lake House in Merrimac, Wis., and the Saladin family cabin in Pempine, Wis. Terry was a member of IRMA and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. He co-chaired the Woodstock Jamboree and the Holiday Lights for the Square. He sponsored many young ladies for the Miss Woodstock Contest. He was a member of the Downtown Parking Association and a sponsor of the Woodstock Opera House.
Terry and his wife, Gretchen, along with their daughter, Colleen (Vasley), moved to Tucson in June 1998 for the warm sunshine days and the beautiful Catalina Mountains. Their son Jason McNeese moved to Tucson a year later, and their son Christopher resided in Rockford, Ill.
Terry is survived by his wife, Gretchen; their three children, and eight grandchildren, Kendall and Cole McNeese, Woodstock, Kenny Blinkal, Florida, Keilah and Anna Sophia, Tucson, Blake, Hailey and Landon Vasley, Tucson; a sister, Karen Myers, of Woodstock; and his mother, Doris McNeese, of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy L (Mike) McNeese.
There will be a visitation at St. Joseph’s Chapel at St. Mary Church, Woodstock, on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, from 9:30-11 a.m., followed by Mass at St. Mary.
Donations in honor of Terry can be made to Peppi’s Hospice Home of Tucson at www.tmcaz.com/foundation or email foundations@tmcaz.com or to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 3201 East Presidio Road, Tucson, AZ 85716.