81, Oblong, IL
VISITATION: 5 ~ 7 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Pulliam Funeral Home, Oblong, IL.
CELEBRATION OF JOHN’S LIFE SERVICE: 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 23, 2015 at Pulliam Funeral Home, Oblong with Bro. Bill Ikemire officiating. Burial will follow in the Berlin Cemetery, rural Oblong. Military rites at the cemetery will be conducted by Oblong American Legion Post #219.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family request that an expression of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to the Berlin Church Building Fund or the Oblong Fire Department with envelopes at or may be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home, PO Box 121, Oblong, IL 62449.
John L. Neeley, 81, of Oblong, IL passed from this life to his eternal home on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at his residence.
John was born on October 20, 1933 in rural Oblong, IL. He was the second son of Lawrence J. and Sarah J. (Bailiff) Neeley. On June 12, 1955 he married Phyllis Joan Smith.
He was a lifelong member of Berlin Congregational Christian Church rural Oblong, IL. He was saved as a boy and continued his faith by being active in his church. John served as a Deacon, Superintendent and Sunday school teacher for many years.
John graduated from Oblong Township High School with the Class of 1951.
He was inducted into the United States Army on June 3, 1953. His tour of duty took him to Austria and Germany. On April 30, 1955, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
John was a business owner in the Oblong community for many years. John was active in the Oblong community serving on the Village Board as a trustee and Village President. He was a founding member of the Oblong Jaycees. He served 52 years as a volunteer on the Oblong Fire Department. He served on the Oblong Chamber of Commerce and the Crawford County Opportunities Board. He enjoyed announcing the Oblong High School football games and the Crawford County Fair tractor and truck pulls and the pig scramble. He participated in his children’s activities whether it was attending ball games or Boy Scout campouts.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years Phyllis Neeley of Oblong, IL; his sons and daughter-in-law S. Scott and Vicky Neeley of Centerville, VA and Brett E. Neeley of Oblong, IL; his daughter Sharalyn “Shari” Neeley of Geneva, IL; and his sister Betty J. Ochs of Newton, IL. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Nathan Neeley and Caitlin Neeley of Virginia and his grand dog, Jericho. He was known as “Uncle John” to so many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
John is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Charley E. “Bud” Neeley and Robert M. Neeley; one sister Dorothy Sheridan; one sister-in-law Barbara (Pease) Neeley; two brothers-in-law Gordon Sheridan and Orville P. “Pat” Ochs and one nieces Paula (Brotherton) Sheridan.
Condolences and or memories may be sent to the family at www.oblongfuneralhome.com.
