MARENGO – John T. Neis, 86, of Marengo, died Monday, March 4, 2013, at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford.

He was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Amboy, to Adelbert and Bertilla (Dyer) Neis. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, and a member of Marengo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 689910. He was the proprietor of the Rexall drugstore in Ohio, and insurance executive for Bank Insurance, dealing in credit life insurance for banks. He helped establish Neis Insurance Co. in Crystal Lake.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Mary (Richard) Phannenstill; his son, Thomas (Marilyn) Neis; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Neis, Melissa (Chris) Wittenborn, and R.J. Phannenstill; four nieces, Annie Smith, Barb Wuchiski, Cindy Barich, and Debbie Herber; and longtime companion, Pat Hawkins.