Obituary of Herbert I. Neal

Herbert I Neal, 95, of Marathon, NY went home to be with the Lord and his heavenly family on December 29, 2015 at Cortland Regional Medical Center with his loving family by his side. He was born in Cortland on July 25, 1920, the son of Norman and Lena May Chase Neal. He married the love of his life Elizabeth S. Wheeler On September 20, 1947, she passed away September 29, 2012. Herbert served with the United States Marine Corp serving in Guadalcanal during World War II. Herbert was honored as the oldest living Marine Corps veteran in Cortland County in 2010. After serving his country he was employed by Thompson Brothers Boat Manufacturing Company. He then became self-employed as a painter and paperhanger. Seeing his craftsmanship, Gutchess Lumber hired him to refinish their family homes. He was a member of the Cortland VFW, Virgil Seniors, Marathon Seniors, and previous member of Bellevue Alliance Church where he regularly attended and volunteered his time to help maintain the building. Herbert really enjoyed being around his friends, especially when he was playing cards, horseshoes or just telling stories. He was an avid gardener and Daffodil Salesman and sold his daffodils every spring in the Groton Ave Plaza. Every day at 11 am he enjoyed sitting in his chair watching the Price is Right. Herbert is survived by two daughters; Marjorie Neal, Syracuse, Melissa Slack, Cortland; son; James Neal, Cortland; one sister-in-law Irene Wheeler, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephew. He was predeceased by his son; Jeffery Neal and son-in-law Jeffrey Slack, four sisters; Bernice Seacord, Alice Greenfield, Hazel Neal, and Barbara Ahrens; four brothers, Richard, Robert, Stanley, and David Neal. Memorial service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc., as per his wishes there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Virgil Seniors Club in care of John Storie 2431 Page Green Rd. Cortland, NY 13045.