Rev. Elwyn Lee NEAL

NEAL, HATCH, BOWER, MOUNTJOY, HEMMERICH, WARNER, GOODIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/2/2010 at 09:46:49

September 7, 1905 -- September 11, 2010

GENEVA — Rev. Elwyn Lee Neal, age 105, formerly of S. Market St., Jefferson, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the Sanctuary of Geneva. He was born Sept. 7, 1905, in Belmond, Iowa, the son of John Henry and Mabel Madora (Hatch) Neal and had been an area resident since 1993. A graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, he later attended Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn., where he received his Bachelor's of Divinity Degree. A part-time minister since the age of 18, he became ordained on June 5, 1927. On June 21, 1931, he married the love of his life, Florence Bower, and they celebrated 79 years of marriage together.

The editor of Adult Sunday School Material and Family Life Publications for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 25 years, he served three churches, including the First Christian Church in Montrose, Colo. for 4 years, the First Christian Church in Casper, Wyo. for 11 years and the First Christian Church of Villa Ridge, Mo. for a number of years during his active ministry. Most recently, he served as interim pastor at the First Christian Church in Ashtabula, during which time he self-published his translated version of the entire Bible. Outside of his ministry, he was an avid sports fan and pitched in a softball league for 20 years. He wrote an autobiography for his children and traveled the country in his Winnebago. A member of the Knock Out Quartet, he enjoyed singing. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa at Drake University and received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1964.

He is survived by two daughters, Juanita Mountjoy of Jefferson and Donna Lee (Rolf) Hemmerich of Springfield, Ore.; one son, Darrel Clark (Carolyn) Neal of Florissant, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, Debra, Tom, Kathleen, Daniel, Julie, Mark, John, Daniel Ryan, Mary, Deborah and David; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Neal on March 31, 2010; son-in-law, Thomas E. Mountjoy; brothers, Clifford, Trelore and Bennett Neal; sisters, Olive E. Warner, Bernice Estelle Neal and Neda Jona Goodin; one sibling at birth; and his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 2nd, at United Church of Geneva, 75 S. Broadway, Geneva, with the Rev. Bob Cunningham officiating, assisted by the Rev. Richard Elwell. Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, the United Church of Geneva or the Disciples of Christ Pension Fund. DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Avenue, Ashtabula, has charge of arrangements.

Star Beacon --Ashtabula, Ohio
September 26, 2010