Former Monitor owner dies at 98

Posted 6/1/23

Samuel Neil Harle, known as Neil and the former owner of the Mineola Monitor, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023.

According to the local historical marker in front of the Monitor office, Harle …

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Former Monitor owner dies at 98

Posted

Samuel Neil Harle, known as Neil and the former owner of the Mineola Monitor, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023.

According to the local historical marker in front of the Monitor office, Harle purchased the Monitor Jan. 1, 1956 and sold it in August 1963. He was also involved in the Wood County Record, Grand Saline Sun and Lindale Times.

He was born in Port Arthur, became an Eagle Scout along with brother Joe and six first cousins, and graduated from Port Arthur Jefferson High school in 1942.

He enrolled in the College of Journalism at the University of Missouri, and in 1943 enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He served in the First Marine Air Wing at a forward air base on the island of Bougainville in the Pacific Theater of World War Two.

He returned to the University of Missouri, married Betty Kay and earned his journalism degree in 1948.

Soon after acquiring the Monitor, he was among the dignitaries riding on the last run of the Katy railroad from Mineola to Greenville.

The Harles raised four children, Foist, Joe, Jack and Ellen and were active members of the First Methodist Church in Mineola.

Betty died in 1980, and Neil persuaded the Peace Corps to accept a 59-year-old rookie, serving 10 years in Jamaica, Swaziland and Botswana. He returned to Mineola where he spent 28 years before moving to the Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in 2020.

His service was held May 24 at the First Methodist Church, with burial May 25 at the San Marcos City Cemetery.