Denny Neal

Denny L. Neal 89 of Mount Vernon died Thursday, September 30, 2004 at Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids from complications of a stroke. Services 2:00 p.m., Monday, at the First Presbyterian Church, Mount Vernon by the Reverend Emory Gillespie. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel. Burial at Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery. Surviving Denny is his wife Helen of 67 years at home, six children: Richard (Marilyn) and Donald (Diana) of Cedar Rapids, Gary (Joanne) of Newport Beach, California, Ken (Kathy) of Mount Vernon, a daughter Sandy (Ron) Williams of Cedar Rapids, and Russ (Barb) of Lisbon; eleven grandchildren: Kevin, Mitch, Jon, Jeff, Jenny, Bryan, MacKenzie, Kelly, Jake, Ashley, and Ben; six step grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two sisters: Dorothy Wilson of Sanibel Island, Florida and Alberta Post of Cedar Rapids. Preceding Denny in death were his parents and a brother Howard. Denny was born October 7, 1914 on the family farm in Mount Vernon, the son of Ben and Bessie Burt Neal. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School. Denny attended Iowa State University where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and participated in ROTC. He married Helen Pitlik August 14, 1937 at Lisbon. He and Helen farmed and raised their family on the Neal Century Farm. Denny maintained an active interest in the farm. Denny served as chairman of the Board of the Linn Co-Op Oil Company, Director of the Federal Land Bank Association of Cedar Rapids, Director of Linn County Farm Bureau, the Cedar Valley Farm Business Association, and a member of the Linn County Extension Council. He served on the Board of the Linn Township Mutual Insurance Company for thirty years, and also served with the Franklin Township Trustees. He was involved in 4-H as a member and leader of the Franklin Knight Riders 4-H Club and the Linn County Junior Cattle Feeders Association. Denny will always be remembered for his love of family, land and cattle. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.