Dwayne William McNeil, 90, of Helena, Montana passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025 in Helena, Montana. He was born in Blackfoot, Idaho on February 20, 1935, to Jack McNeil and LaVaun Parsons. The family lived in Hailey, Idaho where his father was a trapper and guide. Dwayne and his brother Earl worked as caddies on the Sun Valley golf course. They developed a love for the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, skiing, tennis, and golf. The family moved to Seattle, Washington for a while but returned to Idaho moving to Boise. They stayed with Dwayne’s uncle, Erastus McNeil and family until Jack McNeil passed away. The family then returned to Blackfoot where LaVaun met and married Clarence Hunter, blending two families – the three McNeil children (Dwayne, Earl, and Peggy) and the three Hunter boys (Ray, Richard, and Bill). The family remained in the Blackfoot area and attended the local schools. After graduation from Snake River High School, Dwayne began working construction.
While still in Blackfoot, Dwayne married Jacqueline Malm in 1955. They had three children, Wendy Lynn, Kenneth Dwayne, and Thomas Floyd McNeil. The two later divorced.
In the early 60’s, Dwayne continued his interest in construction by working for Leo Schwerer in Montana building hospitals, schools and other commercial projects. Dwayne pulled together a crew of men that worked together for years – Richard Hunter, Ron Gable, Ron Carrison, Carol Connick , Buddy Hendricks and Stan Fredrickson and they remained friends for a lifetime. For summers, sons of these men were allowed to go to work sites and build things from the scrap pile, push brooms, and pick up nails. Any downtime was spent camping, fishing, and paddling the lakes and reservoirs of Montana.
Setting out on his own, McNeil Drywall Construction was started. Because of his work ethic and desire for perfection, he was known as a master of his craft. He built homes – including his own home – a unique 6-bedroom A-Frame house in Douglas Circle. He also built a church and remodeled many commercial buildings in Helena. He was dedicated to precision, square corners, straight walls, and a job well done.
In 1971, Dwayne married Yvonne DeRosier and welcomed John and Paul Toccafondo as sons. They completed their family with the birth of Ronald J. “RJ” McNeil. The family spent many trips camping and later going on their annual trip to Big Sky. Yvonne and Dwayne traveled the world including trips to Europe, Bali, and New Zealand. They also enriched their lives by hosting exchange students and being involved in many philanthropic endeavors in Helena. Dwayne enjoyed playing pinochle (Ron can remember playing pinochle at 5 years old), tinkering at his shop and eventually amateur radio. He became a member of the Amateur Radio Club.
Dwayne and Yvonne were dedicated to the work and needs of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was pleased to use his craftmanship to improve church properties including the Methodist Church Camp on Flathead Lake. One of his favorite projects was overseeing the construction of the new St. Paul’s Church building in the early 2000’s.
Dwayne was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne DeRosier, his parents James “Jack” Nielson McNeil and LaVaun Parsons Hunter, his stepfather Clarence Hunter and three stepbrothers Ray, Richard, and William Hunter, his brother Earl McNeil and sister Peggy Hightower, and his son Kenneth Dwayne “Ken” McNeil.
He is survived by his daughter Wendy (Kent) Shelman of Idaho Falls, ID, his sons Thomas F. McNeil of Springfield, ID, Ronald J. “RJ” (Heather) McNeil of Helena, MT, John Toccafondo (Lissa Huntington) of Helena, MT, Paul (Liz) Toccafondo of Gilbert, AZ, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at the St. Paul’s Methodist Church on March 29, 2025. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service. The grave dedication will be held at 1:30 at the Forestvale cemetery.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Reception
Saturday March 29, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 29, 2025
St. Paul United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Reception
Saturday March 29, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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WENDY SESSELMAN says
On behalf of Intermountain Therapy Animals, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Dwayne’s family. He was one of our dog’s favorites! A very kind, gentle soul that the dogs never wanted to leave.
Gehring Family says
We as a family have gotten to know Dwyane over the past few years. He was a very kind, loving man, especially towards our mom Rose, who spent many hours with him sharing baked goods, dinners, breakfasts and great conversation. He will be remembered as a true gentleman with a kind heart. He dearly loved his family and friends.
Rest easy dear friend.
ROSE, BILL AND MICKIE
StoneCarlsons of Helena says
Our condolences to all DeWaynes neighbors, family, associates & friends far and wide.
My dear energetic friend, Yvonne who I’m sure patiently (and perhaps impatiently, -smiling- ) has been waiting these years for her guy to eventually take a rest & join her on their next mission.
The energy if those two …just amazing !
Masters, both at their resoective crafts, they and other family members have given tirelessly over and over of their time, talent and resources to this community and beyond even in ways some folks never knew about.
They walked the walk. They were true givers.
My friend, Yvonne and I made many fun shopping trips to Missoula and to her appointments there, too . We spent long hours at Douglas Circle House putting together hunreds of beautiful gift baskets for several nonprofit fundraisers of our Helena community and Duane would inevitably pop in the room littered with baskets, product, ribbons and such bringing us a root beer float and saying , “You girls, it’s midnight! Shouldn’t you two quit and get some sleep?”
Such a great fellow and kind to all that crossed his path and he certainly put in the hours.
They are truly remembered and missed. May they rest in peace.
C&C
StoneCarlsons of Helena says
(Ps. Ya, keying a few erors and a misspell
4 D Wayne. But he would forgive.)
He used to laugh about all the versions for
both he and YVonne’s names.
He’d say “,just so somebody hollers out my
name when the meal is ready!”
Ken abd Kris says
We are sadden by the passing of Dwayne. He was a great neighbor and friend. Will miss him.
Ken and Kris Inabnit
Vince Justice says
I visited with Dwayne many times at the Beehive while visiting my parents, He was a very kind man, I wish i could have spent more time hearing about his past and his history. He is one of the nicest persons I have ever met, and he will be missed.