The is nothing better than at one’s death everyone could and would say, “a life well lived.” Jeri was the epitome of that motto. Yes, Jeri was a man of few words, but the absence of words was more than made up for by an abundance of actions whether for his country, his family, his neighbors or his friends. His actions were explained by one word “love.” And while in no way a consolation for his untimely death, it is good to know that he is with Barb, the most beloved of his life, with whom he will live forever after. Our condolences to the entire Neal family.
Jeri Neal
August 26, 1948 ~ July 7, 2026
On Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, a true hero signed off, Jeri M. Neal of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Jeri lived a life defined by service—to his family, his country, his community, and the land he loved. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, and a proud lifelong Iowan. He lived his life on his family farm on Abbe Hills Road, just outside Mount Vernon, but to Jeri, it was more than home; it was the heart of a legacy. For more than 150 years, generations of his family poured their blood, sweat, and tears into that land, and Jeri carried this with him for his entire life.
Jeri was born on August 26th, 1948, to Gordon and Emma Neal, the youngest of four siblings. He was doted on by his two sisters, Carmen and Sharon. Jeri spent his childhood farming alongside his father and attended Mount Vernon High School, from where he graduated in 1966. It was here that Jeri met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Thomsen, to whom he eventually married in 1969.
To know Jeri was to know the depth of a man who was, on the one hand, so complex from the battleground scars of Vietnam, yet entirely straightforward in his love for his friends, family, his community, and the land on which he was born, lived and died. Defined by loyalty and integrity, and sprinkled with stubborness, Jeri was as hardworking as they come. These defining characteristics earned Jeri three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star during his 1968 tour of Vietnam. However, no honor ever compared to the most valued heart he ever won, that of his beloved wife, Barb. Together, Jeri and Barb raised their four children, each attending Mount Vernon High School: Todd ‘89, Ted ‘91, Ben ‘96, and Abby ’99.
Jeri’s road wasn’t easy. Growing up on the farm and getting drafted to Vietnam, he fought hard for everything he had. As a platoon sergeant in Vietnam, Jeri’s job was to keep his unit safe in the face of constant danger; he shouldered that weight beyond Vietnam. Throughout his entire life, no matter the circumstances, Jeri had a resilience and strength that carried him and all those close to him through the most difficult situations. He was always anchored by his love for his family and a fierce protectiveness for their well-being.
Jeri’s devotion to his family and his tireless work ethic had him working long hours on and off the farm, even taking a job as a long-distance truck driver during the farm crisis to make ends meet. In 1990, he took a job at General Mills in Cedar Rapids, sometimes working nineteen days straight to provide for his family. It was here that he worked until he retired in 2012.
While Jeri spent many long hours working, it was not what defined him. For no matter the job, Jeri always found time to be with his family, cheering on his kids and grand-kids, and making sure he had time to connect with his lifelong friends and war buddies. Jeri was known for always checking in. Every phone call began “just checkin’ in, and ended with a “love ya”. Whether for five minutes or fifteen, Jeri would stop by just long enough to know you were ok, make sure you didn’t need anything, and then was on his way, never wanting to impose. Sometimes, he would leave donuts or bring fruit; vegetables were often left on doorsteps and with them the reminder that Jeri, was always finding ways to show how much he cared, even if words were not his forte. He delighted in surprising people, and would orchestrate many visits in this fashion.
While it took Jeri a few years to give up a flip phone for a smart one, once he learned the power of an emoji to send a message worth of information and the way a meme could bring on a laugh, he embraced the new technology, especially when he learned how to see everyone he loved all at once on Life360. Jeri never needed much, only to know that those he loved were safe.
Jeri was, as many would describe, a man of few words. For those he had, he chose them carefully and shared them as treasures. But he had a smile that could convey a thousand different emotions, and an ear for listening like no other.
Helping others was central to his core, he always showed up ready to work, clearing trees after the Derecho, or assisting neighbors in any way possible. One of his favorite things to do was to bring watermelon to the Middle School cross-country team after hot fall practices.
Jeri’s greatest gift was growing things. He grew his garden like his family, bigger every year. Every year he spread more love, planted more seeds, and shared more and more of the bounty he yielded.
Of all the losses Jeri endured in his life, none was greater than the loss of his wife Barb, in 2023. Yet, even in all of his grief, Jeri once again, showed how to endure, and how to grow the things that matter most, love, family, and community (and a few 1000 tomatoes). In addition to Barb and his children, Jeri’s greatest love was his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In them, Jeri found the peace and joy of a life well lived.
Jeri is survived by his four children, Todd (Emily) Neal, Ted Neal, Benjamin Neal, and Abigail (John) Bock; nine grandchildren, Kaia, Grace, Meikaella, Toby, Nathaniel, Emma, Kyle, Cody, Nick, two great-grandchildren, Kellan and Isla; and his siblings, Tom Neal, and Sharon Urich.
Jeri was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Barb; and his sister, Carmen Neal Musser.
Visitation to be from 4-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon, and burial with funeral honors to follow at the Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a general memorial fund has been established for the family. Please address memorials to Ted Neal.
Please share your support and memories with Jeri’s family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
Services
Visitation:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services - Mount Vernon
715 10th Avenue SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-8425
info@stewartbaxter.com
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2026-07-14 16:00:00
2026-07-14 07:00:00
JeriNealVisitation
Visitation
715 10th Avenue SW,Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Celebration of Life:
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
10:00 am
United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon
304 1st Street SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-6286
Add to My Calendar
America/Chicago
2026-07-15 10:00:00
2026-07-15 10:00:00
JeriNealCelebration of Life
Celebration of Life
304 1st Street SW,Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Burial:
Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery
520 1st Street E
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
319-895-8742
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