Karl E. Neal, age 95, formerly of Smeltzer Road in Marion, and of Evansville, Indiana, died peacefully early Monday morning, August 8, 2011, at the Deaconess Hospice Care Center following an extended illness.
On December 29, 1915, Karl was born in Marion, the son of the late Mark and Sarah (Meister) Neal, who both died when he was very young.
As a young man Karl worked as a farmer before he enlisted into the U.S. Army on May 12, 1941, to serve his beloved country in the fight of World War II, when he was 25 years old. He served in the 28th Ordinance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company as a truck driver, and serving on the Frontlines in the battles of Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland. For his valor, honor and bravery, he earned several medals including a purple heart.
Upon his honorable discharge, Karl returned to Marion where he met, Geneva Fay Laucher, whom he married on February 14, 1948. Together they shared over fifty five wonderful years of marriage and raised a daughter, Holly. Geneva preceded him in death on July 18, 2003.
After working for several years as an auto mechanic, Karl transferred to Tecumseh, where he worked for over thirty years until his retirement.
A man of faith, Karl was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Karl was a happy, optimistic man, who he never seemed to have a bad day and was always happy to the end. Everyone that came to know him loved him. He loved animals, reading, learning how to invent and make things better, and also watching TV with his Great Granddaughter.
He will be dearly missed by his daughter, Holly Neal Collins-Doan and Timothy Doan; two grandchildren: Sean and Summer Collins; a great granddaughter, Eva Lenn Collins, of Louisville, Kentucky; a sister, Mary Alice Groppe of Salem, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Karl was preceded in death by his brother, John Neal; and sister, Ruth Peer.
Karl’s family will greet from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life well lived will also be held there on Monday at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Ed Wahl officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be to Deaconess Hospice Care Center of Evansville, IN, and to the Marion County United Veterans Council, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Karl’s family, and online condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
