Obituary of Neil Edwin Ladtkow

Mr. Neil Edwin Ladtkow, son of the late Otto Ladtkow and Laura Anita Cooke Ladtkow was born June 16, 1938 in Streator, IL where he spent his early years before moving to Muskogee, OK. He was a graduate of Muskogee Central High School, class of 1956, then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served honorably for over 22 years as a cryptology technician and computer programmer. Following his military retirement in Sacramento, CA, he utilized his computing expertise to begin a new career as a computer systems analyst for the Sacramento County Tax Assessor’s Office from which he retired after 15 years of dedicated service. Neil departed this life to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Melbourne Regional Medical Center. Throughout Neil’s many years of dedicated military service, he had assignments within the United States, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Taiwan. While stationed at Offutt AFB, NE in 1967, he met and was united in holy matrimony to the former Miss Laura L. McFarlane. This union was blessed with one child, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Neil professed his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in 1970 following the witness of visiting foreign missionaries in Taiwan. Throughout the rest of his days, he was heavily involved with multiple church families, participated in numerous church mission trips, sustained various missionary ministries, as well as supported his final two church families at Calvary Baptist Church, Cocoa, FL and Calvary Baptist Church, Panama City, FL. His 50 years of work in Christian ministries will be long standing with far reaching effects for the kingdom of God that are known only to our Heavenly Father. Neil’s life will forever be cherished in the lives of his family, friends, and the countless unknown individuals touched by his love and support of Christian missions. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending his free time with loved ones traveling the world, fishing the waters of California and Florida, camping in the forests of the west coast, and boating the beautiful waters of the Emerald Coast. In his last years, Neil eagerly anticipated his weekly breakfast gatherings with his fellow Veteran church brethren and looked forward to the regular fellowship events held by both of his Florida church families. Neil is survived by his wife of 52 years, Laura L. (McFarlane) Ladtkow; son, Mark E. Ladtkow; daughter-in-law, Andrea D. (Partida) Ladtkow; grandchildren, Luke E. Ladtkow, Lauren E. (Ladtkow) Manuel, and Landon E. Ladtkow; great grandchildren, Aria A. Norfus, and yet to be named; his brothers Robert A. Ladtkow, Richard O. Ladtkow, and sister Karlene S. (Ladtkow) Salmon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear family friends. Neil will be sorely missed by his family and friends on this earth but we are all at peace knowing that he is in a far better place absent the pain and suffering of this world, rejoicing with those that have preceded him and praising our Lord and Savior. THE FAMILY REQUESTS NO FLORAL DONATIONS PLEASE