Lawrence Neal

Lawrence E. Neal, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Sept. 17, 1932, in Sturgeon, Mo., to Russell and Alice Ott Neal.

Lawrence first married Esther Ott on May 14, 1953, in Sturgeon. She preceded him in death Dec. 3, 1990. He then married Claudia Vogt June 29, 1991, in Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Lawrence retired from Gilster-Mary Lee in 1994 after 18 years of service. He also had been manager of Bartles Farm in St. Mary, Mo., for more than seven years. In 1975 his family was named Missouri State Farm Family of the Year at Missouri State Fair. He was a member of Trinity Gospel Church in Sikeston, Mo.

Survivors include his wife, Claudia of Cape Girardeau; three sons, Edward P. Neal (Gloria) of Lexington, S.C., Russell D. Neal (Peggy) of Cape Girardeau and Shawn W. Vogt (Jennifer) of St. Mary; two daughters, Alice Chandler (Daniel) of Jackson and Deborah Smith (Steve) of St. Mary; a brother, Richard Neal of Lubbock, Texas; four sisters, Laverne Jennings of Sturgeon, Myrtle Ritchie of Centralia, Mo., Carol Maxine Bowen and Geraldine Tinker of Sturgeon; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; two brothers; and a sister.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Davis officiating. Burial will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, with full military rites by Missouri Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.