Neil C.H. Zachmeyer

Neil Zachmeyer, 99, of Monmouth died at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Roseville Rehabilitation and Care Center, Roseville, IL.

He was born June 10, 1916 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Harry Edward and Matilda Barbara (Krehbiel) Zachmeyer. He was raised and educated in Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1935.

Neil married Helen Euginia Crapnell.

Neil worked for the CB & Q Railroad during WWII. He later was the first radio announcer for WRAM in Monmouth in 1957. He was a guest announcer for WSM at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Feb. 9, 1959. He later worked for the Gates Rubber Co in Galesburg and the Green Thumb for seniors at the Warren County Housing Authority in Monmouth.

Neil loved Country and Western music and played with the band, Melody Rangers. The band played all around the area at fairs and homecomings. He was a founding member of the Mississippi Valley Country Music Association. He was also a member of the Monmouth Masonic Lodge, #37 A.F. & A.M., Peoria Shrine Club, Quad City Consistory, Burlington Moose Lodge and the Galesburg Elks. He was an avid ballroom dancer.

Survivors include his sons, Errol Zachmeyer and Lauren (Mary Ann) Zachmeyer both of Alexis; grandson, Danny Zachmeyer of Alexis; good friends, John Toal and Karen Segura both of Monmouth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, David Zachmeyer.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 20155 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Friends may call Friday at the funeral home with a visitation one hour prior to the services. Cremation will take place following the services with a private burial to be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, IA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital or the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.