Phillip Arthur Neill

NEILL, PHILLIP

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 1/16/2015 at 04:42:48

Phillip Arthur, the only child of Harold and Beatrice Phillip Neill, was born September 29, 1925 and departed this life at the Greater Community Hospital at Creston, Iowa, September 5, 1930, a victim of infantile paralysis at the age of five years, one month, and seven days. A short private services was held Saturday afternoon at the Quincy Cemetery, Rev. E. S. Menoher of Mt. Ayr in charge.
Little Phillip, who was his father's constant companion and his mother's greatest joy, received during his short years, his parents' fullest devotion. His life was full of enthusiasm and ambition for those things which make childhood days complete. Even in the valley and shadow of death, he battled an overpowering disease with the fortitude of a man. In the midst of life is death, and now the world is less one man-child. The parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents and other close relatives and little playmates are left with a vacant place in their hearts which can never be filled since this pure little life is with the Savior.
"Not now but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land.
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, sometime, we'll understand.

But what we longed for most of all,
Eludes no oft our eager hand;
Why hopes are crushed and castles fall,
Up there, some time, we'll understand.

We'll catch the broken thread again,
And finish what we here began;
Heaven will the mysteries explain,
And then, ah then, we'll understand.
Adams County Free Press, September 30, 1930, page 8