LEROY MCNEELY

JACKSON -- John "Leroy" McNeely, 90, passed away Monday, March 13, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at New McKendree United Methodist Church. The Revs. O. David Griffin and Jimmie Corbin will officiate. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. McNeely was born May 18,1909, in Jackson, son of John Jackson and Della Colyer McNeely. He and Velma Ross were married Dec. 13, 1936, at New McKendree United Methodist Church.

Prior to his 1986 retirement, Leroy was co-owner of McNeely Foundry and Machine Works in Jackson. The family business operated in the area more than 100 years.

Leroy was an active lifetime member of New McKendree, serving from his youth on a variety of boards and committees. Most recently he was chairperson of the New McKendree Historical Committee. In 1986 he received the Distinguished Service Award for singing in the Chancel Choir 62 years.

In 1990 Leroy was elected as president emeritus of Jackson Municipal Band. He served as its president more than 25 years, and played clarinet 65 years.

Serving the Gideon Local Chapter and Gideons International, Leroy often assisted in distributing Bibles and speaking on behalf of the Gideons' Mission.

During his retirement years Leroy became known as the "Matchmaker" and often presented programs sharing his unique items created from matchsticks.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years; two daughters, Jane Boren of Jackson, Lawanna Eshbaugh of Greensburg, Pa.; six grandchildren, Rik Boren of Arnold, Sheri Twaddle of University City, Stephen Eshbaugh of Gaithersburg, Pa., Linda Krepps of Verona, Pa., Janet Waugaman and Nancy Statler of Greensburg; eight great-grandchildren, Lauren and Cliffy Waugaman, Daniel and David Statler, Faith and Grace Eshbaugh, Stephen Eddington, and Kathleen Twaddle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Raymond McNeely .

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Gideons International or New McKendree United Methodist Chancel Choir.