Ronald Leon McNeese, 74, died Sept. 2 at his home.

A service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer on Saturday at 1 p.m., with Pastor Jonathon Rockey officiating.

Mr. McNeese was born Aug. 8, 1935 in Royal Oak, Mich., to George and Nettie McNeese. He graduated from Central High School in Palmer in 1953. Ron enlisted in the Navy in 1954. He married Dee Marshall on Sept. 1, 1956 in Englewood, Calif. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1963 and brought his wife and daughter home to Alaska. From college his first job was at the Palmer Correctional Center. He was then transferred as the director to open and manage McLaughlin Youth Center in Anchorage.

In 1969 he was hired as finance director of the borough in Palmer. He worked at the borough from 1969 until his retirement in 1980. He then built the Bit and  Erin Subdivisions using his John Deere tractor.

He is survived by his wife Dee McNeese, daughter and  son-in-law Linda and Bill Elliot of Palmer, son Darrin McNeese of Santa Barbara, Calif., grandchildren Andrew and Logan Elliot of Palmer, brothers George and Marlys McNeese of McHenry, N.D., Jim and Karen McNeese of Palmer, and sister Gwen Lowe of The Dalles, Ore. He was preceded in death by his brother Glenn and sister Joannie.

The family would like to thank the following people for their love and support during these difficult months, Katrina Nielson, Karen Urroz, Rainy Rody and Rozane Shade.

Arrangements were with Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary. www.legacyalaska.com