LT. Michael McNiel
USMC / Purple Heart
Vietnam 1967-1970
Michael Allen McNiel, 77, of Iowa City, IA passed peacefully in his sleep July 10, 2024 while vacationing with his family in St. Germain, WI. He was born September 28, 1946 in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California, but grew up on the family farm in Webster County, Iowa.
Mike worked as an automobile mechanic and owned Mike McNiel Auto Repair, but his mechanical knowledge extended far beyond the typical. He was known for his interest in antique motorcycles, especially Velocettes, and his skill with machining custom parts on his lathe. There wasn’t a motor he couldn’t fix, and he could build a motorcycle out of nothing more than a bucket of parts. His hands told the tale of his working life exceptionally large, tough, strong and seemingly permanently stained with grease. He was “Iron Mike, Gang of One.”
Mike was an independent, complex man of few words but strong convictions. He did not care for crowds, preferring peace and quiet with the company of those closest to him. He read voraciously and his favorite genres were mysteries, crime stories, westerns, news and politics. Those who knew him best enjoyed in his creative and inventive mind as well as his clever and dry, but slightly goofy, sense of humor. He had an affinity for babies, young children and small animals to the point of composing and reciting them poetry. His tiny dogs loved him and his proclivity for slipping them tidbits under the kitchen table. More often than not he had a dog on his lap.
Mike was a Marine platoon leader who served for both Golf and Fox Companies for one tour of duty during the Vietnam War. He left with two Purple Hearts, an experience he rarely spoke of and one that left permeant scars on his body and mind.
He began his education in a Iowa one room schoolhouse and finished with a Bachelor of the Arts degree from the University of Iowa.
Mike is survived by his wife, Suzanne of Iowa City, IA, daughters, Emily (David) Farber of Iowa City, IA, Jessica McNiel of Des Moines, IA, grandchildren Benjamin, Abraham, Elsa and Isaac Farber and Josephine and Marlowe Barton, siblings Marguerite Wachtel, of Corpus Christi, TX, and Christopher McNiel of Webster City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, James (Terry) and Phyllis McNiel, sister, Terrianne Larson, and infant son, Joshua McNiel.
According to Mikel the Pickle’s wishes, there are no services planned. He is free of this earthly realm and off riding his Velocette through the great blue yonder.
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