James Neal

James Bernard "Jeff" Neal, 86, was born on July 19, 1919 in Daviess County, Missouri. He was the youngest child of Harry and Dorothea Neal of Hamilton, Missouri. Jeff passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2006.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean; his three children Don Neal, and his wife Linda, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carol Neal, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Patricia Neal and John Yeskewicz of Upton, Massachusetts; and his two grandchildren, Thea and Graham.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Leona Ganser and Viola Lynch; and his brothers Fred and Edgar Neal.

A graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, he was an outstanding athlete and was inducted into the University's Football Hall of Fame in 1987. Jeff served in the United States Air Force in World War II. He is a former coach of Aurora High School in Aurora, Missouri. Jeff moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1992 after coaching and a long career in management for 2 major life insurance companies, he retired from American National Insurance Company in 1984. Jeff was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and he was a member of the American Legion Kirby C. Wilcox Post 676.

A visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2006 in Hamilton United Methodist Church, Hamilton, MO. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday with a luncheon to follow for anyone who would like to attend at the church. Burial with military honors will follow in Highland Cemetery, Hamilton, MO. under the care of Bram Funeral Home, Hamilton, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seasons Hospice, Springfield, Missouri or Highland Cemetery, Hamilton, MO. Online condolences can be made at www.hhlohmeyer.com