Gary “Joe” McNeal, 84, of Litchfield, died on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2023, at his residence.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 2, at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Litchfield. Litchfield Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McNeal was born June 27, 1939, in Nokomis, a son of Joe and Kathryn Gipson McNeal. He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1957. He married Sandra "Sam" Halleman on June 10, 1978, in St. Timothy's Methodist Church in Litchfield and they had recently celebrated 45 years of marriage.
Mr. McNeal had many jobs during his working years. He was a trucker working for Buske Lines and Yellow Freight for over 30 years. He also drove for Wally's Cartage and finished his career retiring from the state of Illinois as a stationary engineer. Mr. McNeal served as a Republic Precinct committeeman and also chairman of the Montgomery County Lincoln Day Dinner for many years.
He and Sam enjoyed traveling with their family and friends. Mr. McNeal's favorite pastimes were golfing on Tuesdays and Thursdays with his buddies, fishing and tending his sweet-corn patch and his garden.
Mr. McNeal is survived by his wife, Sandra "Sam" McNeal of Litchfield; children, daughter, Brenda Heimann of Litchfield, sons Randy (Jodi) McNeal of Springfield, Jeff (fiancée Laura Casper) McNeal of Springfield and Todd (Teresa) McNeal of Urbandale, IA; sister, Shari (Dale) Beard of Wentzville, MO; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one niece; and two great-nieces.
Mr. McNeal was preceded in death by his parents, son, Rodney McNeal and daughter, Jodie Vaughn.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Montgomery County Cancer Association. Please visit www.litchfieldffs.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.
