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In memory of
Porter McNeil
December 5, 1959 - September 12, 2025
Dec 5, 1959 - Sep 12, 2025
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to The Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship.
$53,424.17
total raised
Show your support:
Contribute
Background
In lieu of flowers, the McNeil family wishes to set up a public service focused scholarship in Porter McNeil's name.
Porter McNeil passed away on September 12, 2025, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Even during his illness, he continued swimming, serving his community, and inspiring those around him with his dedication and resilience.
A lifelong Moline resident, Porter believed deeply in the importance of civic engagement, thoughtful communication, and building a better future through public leadership.
To honor his legacy, the McNeil family will be creating a Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship to support students in the Quad Cities area who aspire to careers in public service, communications, or politics. This scholarship will support young leaders who share his deep passion for service.
Porter dedicated his life to public service and to the power of the written and spoken word with a purpose. He was inspired at a young age, listening to speeches of the Kennedy's to pursue a life in politics and government.
He viewed public service as a noble profession, and inspired many others to enter the field. He adopted the "Sail Against the Wind" mantra from Ted Kennedy's campaign, the first he volunteered on as a college student.
A 1978 graduate of Moline High School, Porter went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later completed a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Over the course of his career, he worked in the Illinois Statehouse, served on the Rock Island County Board, and became a trusted political consultant and commentator. He also wrote extensively on politics and history, always with the conviction that ideas, when communicated clearly and authentically, could shape the future.
His legacy will live on through the work of everyone dedicated to public service as a tool for positive social change. Contribute
Porter McNeil passed away on September 12, 2025, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. Even during his illness, he continued swimming, serving his community, and inspiring those around him with his dedication and resilience.
A lifelong Moline resident, Porter believed deeply in the importance of civic engagement, thoughtful communication, and building a better future through public leadership.
To honor his legacy, the McNeil family will be creating a Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship to support students in the Quad Cities area who aspire to careers in public service, communications, or politics. This scholarship will support young leaders who share his deep passion for service.
Porter dedicated his life to public service and to the power of the written and spoken word with a purpose. He was inspired at a young age, listening to speeches of the Kennedy's to pursue a life in politics and government.
He viewed public service as a noble profession, and inspired many others to enter the field. He adopted the "Sail Against the Wind" mantra from Ted Kennedy's campaign, the first he volunteered on as a college student.
A 1978 graduate of Moline High School, Porter went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later completed a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Over the course of his career, he worked in the Illinois Statehouse, served on the Rock Island County Board, and became a trusted political consultant and commentator. He also wrote extensively on politics and history, always with the conviction that ideas, when communicated clearly and authentically, could shape the future.
His legacy will live on through the work of everyone dedicated to public service as a tool for positive social change. Contribute
Funds are being collected and disbursed by Mary McNeil, Porter's wife.
Recent contributions
Bill and Kim Gordon
$100.00
March 12, 2026, 2:48 p.m. CDT
Bettina Getz
$250.00
March 5, 2026, 11:58 a.m. CST
$500.00
March 2, 2026, 7:57 p.m. CST
Anonymous
$150.00
Feb. 2, 2026, 9:28 a.m. CST
Cheryl Johnson
$100.00
Jan. 24, 2026, 2:05 p.m. CST
$1,000.00
Jan. 21, 2026, 9:41 a.m. CST
Anonymous
$100.00
Jan. 18, 2026, 12:38 p.m. CST
Steve Bartholomew
$150.00
Jan. 18, 2026, 12:32 p.m. CST
$50.00
Jan. 17, 2026, 3:58 p.m. CST
$100.00
Jan. 17, 2026, 12:30 a.m. CST
Annie and Chris McNeil
$1,000.00
Submitted by Chris and Annie McNeil on
Jan. 16, 2026, 11:12 a.m. CST
$50.00
Jan. 14, 2026, 9:31 a.m. CST
$500.00
Jan. 13, 2026, 4:53 p.m. CST
$100.00
Jan. 13, 2026, 4:25 p.m. CST
Tara McAndrew
$40.00
Jan. 13, 2026, 3:41 p.m. CST
Chip and Becky and Family Kenyon
$500.00
Jan. 13, 2026, 1:50 p.m. CST
$50.00
Dec. 17, 2025, 9:43 a.m. CST
$100.00
Dec. 17, 2025, 1:19 a.m. CST
$100.00
Nov. 10, 2025, 2:59 p.m. CST
$300.00
Oct. 27, 2025, 7:06 p.m. CDT
$36.00
Oct. 21, 2025, 10:26 a.m. CDT
$70.00
Oct. 18, 2025, 9:54 a.m. CDT
$100.00
Oct. 12, 2025, 8:28 p.m. CDT
Anonymous
$200.00
Oct. 10, 2025, 8:01 a.m. CDT
$100.00
Oct. 8, 2025, 8:04 a.m. CDT
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Memories & condolences
I am not certain how we connected, but right after college (1999) my dream job was to work on Democratic campaigns in I…
I am not certain how we connected, but right after college (1999) my dream job was to work on Democ…
I am not certain how we connected, but right after college (1999…
Mary and Liz:
Porter and I reconnected after literally many decades a few years ago and rekindled the laughing, meaningf…
Mary and Liz:
Porter and I reconnected after literally many decades a few years ago and rekindled th…
Mary and Liz:
Porter and I reconnected after literally many decad…
Mary and Family,
Porter was one of a kind, a true gentleman and friend to all.
May the wonderful memories help heal you…
Mary and Family,
Porter was one of a kind, a true gentleman and friend to all.
May the wonderful me…
Mary and Family,
Porter was one of a kind, a true gentleman and f…
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to The Porter McNeil Public Service Scholarship.
$53,424.17
total raised
Show your support:
Contribute
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Mary McNeil (Porter's wife).
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