John Albert Veil passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno on Saturday, February 1, 2020, which was also his 61st Wedding Anniversary with his wife, Mona.  He was 84.

John was born June 26, 1935 at Scott's Hospital in Yerington to parents Albert Carl Veil and Mary Irma (Nagel) Veil of Wabuska, NV.  John spent his childhood years growing up in Wabuska with his parents and his older sister, Dolores.  He spent a great deal of time with his future brother-in-law, Joe Espinoza as well as with other friends in the Wabuska and Thompson Smelter areas. It was in his early years that John developed his love of the outdoors and spent many hours hunting with his father and fishing with both of his parents.  He attended the old Yerington Grammar School and graduated from Yerington High School in 1953.

John enlisted in the Nevada Army National Guard while he was still a Senior in high school and served from December 10, 1953 through December 9, 1956. He went on to serve as a Reserve Of The Army until his Honorable Discharge on December 9, 1959.

John worked for a time for his Aunt and Uncle, Anna and Tony Frade, at the Valley Dairy. He often told of his adventures while driving truck around Mason Valley and on the route to Lone Pine, California.

On February 1, 1959 John married Mona Rae Munson of Weed Heights, Nevada. John had become employed as a Steelman for the Southern Pacific railroad. They made their home in Carlin, Nevada. In December of that year, they welcomed their first of four sons. Two years and a day later they welcomed their second son. In early 1962, John and Mona moved back to Yerington with their two boy and John went to work for the Anaconda Mining Company at Weed Heights. They lived on South Main Street for a short time and then moved to the company housing in Weed Heights.  John worked as a truck driver (DART), a shovel operator, and as a surveyor during his time with the company. He stayed with Anaconda until the mine closed in the late 70's. During "The Strike", John worked at the Ammunition Depot in Hawthorne, as did many of the other Anaconda employees affected by the work stoppage. After the mine closed, John considered moving his family (now with four boys!) to Gillette, Wyoming or to Tooele, Utah to stay in the mining profession, The decision was made though to stay in the Yerington area. John went to work for Lyon County as a real Property Appraiser in the Assessor's Office where he stayed until his retirement 19 years later. John also worked part-time for many years as a bartender. Whether it be working in a local casino or with Mona at private parties, John enjoyed the social aspect of the job. In addition, John worked bucking bales during many summers at local ranches but mainly at the Henry Nagel Ranch on Pete Hendrichs Road.

John spent most of his spare time with friends and family in the outdoors. In his early years, he loved to hunt deer with his recurve bow and wooden arrows. He also was an avid waterfowler. He spent may hours at Wildhorse reservoir and the Ruby Marshes catching trout. As his boys got older, he and Mona would take them camping and fishing at Lahontan Reservoir and Desert Creek, among many other places. He loved fishing at Walker Lake and Farias Creek as well. John loved to go hunting with his boys and taught them much about strategy, shooting and caring for their harvested game. Hunting mule deer with his sons or with a group of close friends on their annual trip to Elko County was a favorite pastime. Each Fall John could be found chasing chukars in some remote Nevada locality, shooting at pheasants at the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area or pursuing quail on a local ranch.

John was also quite the collector and rockhound. He collected just about anything old or vintage. United States coins, rocks, bottles, insulators, railroad date nails, "Bob" wire, Nevada trade tokens, old signs, stamps and model T autos are just a few of John's collecting passions over the years. He shared that passion with his sons and with the many friends he made.

John loved playing cards, whether it be Poker, Cribbage, or Pinochle. He and Mona played at the Rec Hall while they were in Weed Heights and they taught all four boys how to play. He also followed local high school sports and was deeply involved as his boys played Little League, Babe Ruth, high school sports and eventually men's softball. John loved to coach the bases for his boys' softball teams and took particular joy in getting under the skin of the opposing team's players. He was an avid Wolf Pack fan and followed them in football, basketball and baseball. He also loves hia 49ers and S.F. Giants. John regularly sported gear of his favorite teams. Oftentimes you could find him sitting at breakfast , talking  with the guys,at Casino West or the Pioneer Casino. He'd be proudly showing off his new Nevada sweatshirt r 49er cap. In his later years you might find him playing his favorite penny machine of having a cold one at the Moose Lodge. He also spent several years as a member of the Yerington Lion's Club.

As his close friends, co-workers ad family all know, John was a friendly guy. He never met a stranger and would start a conversation with just about anyone. He also has a unique way of inventing his own words, sometimes at the dismay of his wife and sons. We may never know exactly what "deshamigated" means or what a "slight descrefancy" is.

John was preceeded in death by his parents, Albert and May. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mona"; his sons Allen (Robin) of Wellington, Don (Cheryl) of Yerington, Tim (Tracy) of Fallon and Bryan (Leila) of Minden, all in Nevada. He had 13 grandchildren and 12 Great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Dolores, of Reno, numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many friends. He will be greatly missed by all.

A Celebration of John's Life is planned for 2:00 pm on February 15, 2020 at the Pioneer Convention Center in Yerington.  Family and Friends are invited to sign his online guestbook at www.FRFH.net

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208, Yerington Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911