OWINGSVILLE, Ky. – Neil C. Colburn Sr., 81, formerly of Rockland, died Nov. 23, 2012, after a period of declining health.

Born in Rockland Nov. 13, 1931, he was the son of Eckart G. and Grace E. Carroll Colburn. While growing up in Warren, he attended local schools.

In early years, Neil worked as a woodsman with his grandfather, T. J. Carroll.

In February 1949, he enlisted in the Maine National Guard, and after being federalized was sent to Camp Gordon and later served at Camp Stewart, both in Georgia.

On Sept. 12, 1954, he married Jane L. Pendleton at the Warren Baptist Church.

For a brief time, he worked at Sherman's Dairy Farm in Appleton. Neil later worked at the Warren Woolen Mill, Camden Tannery, FMC Marine Colloids in Rockland, Hoods Dairy and for more than 15 years as a deivery driver with Oakhurst Dairy. He later worked with Maritime Energy and for several years as a custodian with School Administrative District 40 in Waldoboro.

With his wife, Neil made homes for his family in Appleton, Warren and Waldoboro. More recently, he resided in Rockland until moving to Kentucky earlier this past summer.

He was a past member of the fire departments in both Warren and Waldoboro.

Neil was active in several churches including Warren Baptist Church, Truth Bible Church in Jefferson, and most recently, First Baptist Church of Rockland. He was a life member of the Charles C. Lilly American Legion Post No. 194, a member of the North American Hunting Club and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Other than his parents, Neil was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jane, in 2004; and his son, Jonathan W. Colburn, in 1999. He is survived by two sons, Jeffrey E. Colburn and his wife, Jennifer, of Rockland and Neil C. Colburn Jr. and his wife, Sally, of Morrill; three daughters and their husbands, Martha S. and Scott Monroe of Warren, Ruth E. and Willie Roland of Owingsville, Ky., and Mary Ann and Walter Brewer of Waldoboro; his brother, Raye Colburn and his wife, Sandy; and his sister, Lois Bragg and her companion, Linwood Thorndike, all of West Rockport; 17 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Thursday, Nov. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A committal service will be held Friday, Nov. 30 at noon at Maine Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta. The Rev. Robert Manning will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine, 383 U.S. Route One, Suite 2 C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

To share a memory or story with Neil's family, visit his online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.