Cornelius Willard Terwilliger, Jr. (Neil), age 86, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, formerly of Traverse City and Onekama Township, died on Sunday, November 10, 2024. He was born on May 15, 1938, in Copemish, Michigan, the son of Neil and Mary (Churchill) Terwilliger. His family moved to Kaleva in 1941. He graduated from Kaleva High School as Valedictorian in 1956.

Neil attended Michigan State University and graduated from Wayne State University in 1960, receiving his Mortuary Science license in July 1960, and was a licensed Funeral Director for years. He resided in Belleville, Michigan for 14 years, moving to Manistee County in 1974 when he purchased the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva from his parents.

On September 3, 1960, he was united in marriage to Patricia Leigh Adams of Mason, Michigan at the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel in East Lansing. Trish preceded him in death in 2000.

Neil was past Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, District 8, and served on the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors for 7 years. He was a former member of the Kaleva Lions Club and was a past President of the Belleville Lions Club. He retired to Fort Lauderdale in 2005. He enjoyed boating, travel to 33 countries, driving his 1964 Mustang Convertible, and his 5 o'clock "Happy Hours".

Neil is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Troy and Mary Terwilliger of Beulah, Michigan, his grandchildren Kelsey and Zachary (both of Grand Rapids, Michigan), his sister Diane Lakso of Bear Lake, Michigan, his nephews Kurt (Kari) Comstock of Cadillac, Michigan and Todd Comstock of Shelby, Michigan, and his brother-in-law Donald Parks of Mason, Michigan. Also surviving is his exchange student daughter Heidi Berge Rolke of Kristiansand, Norway.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12 pm, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, with Pastor James Petteys officiating. Interment will follow in the Maple Grove Township Cemetery in Kaleva. Visitation will be held Saturday from 10 am until time of services at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com