Charles M. Neal, 91, of Gallipolis, Ohio and Venice, Florida, died Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the home of his son, surrounded by his family. Born September 22, 1926 in Gallipolis to the late Levi “Pete” and Shirley (Myers) Neal. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Juanita (Houck) Neal and his son Charles M. “Chuck” Neal, Jr. who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.
Also preceding him in death were his brother, James and sisters, Maxine Allbright, Thelma Miller,… Read More » and Faye Fraser. Charles is survived by his son, J. Michael Neal (Barbara) of Gallipolis; grandchildren, Amy (Aaron) Stanley of Gallipolis, Ohio and Lincoln Neal of Columbiana, Ohio; great grandchildren, Aarika (Brian) McCormick of Letart, WV, Alyssa (Dalton) Jenkins of Pomeroy, Ohio, Addison Stanley of Gallipolis, Ohio, Cayla Plese of Columbus, Ohio, and Ashton Neal and Jamison Neal of Columbiana, Ohio; great great grandchildren, Mariah McCormick and Roman and Saylor Jenkins; one sister, Joyce (Mike) Harrington of Gallipolis, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Charles attended school at the Mudsoc grade school and graduated from GAHS in 1944.
After the birth of his first son, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he sang with the Naval Choir to get out of Scullery Duty. After basic training, he was shipped out to the Marshall Islands and served on the USS Gallatin.
He was discharged from the Navy in March of 1946 at the rank of Seaman First Class. During his life, Charles worked many jobs from Chuck’s Service Station at Fourth and Pine to life insurance. In 1954 while still at the service station, he encountered a field representative with Grange Mutual Casualty Company; and his career in the personal lines insurance business began.
It was to continue until 1980 when he sold the business to his son, Mike. Charles also worked with his son in Neal Realty, Libby Hotel and co-developed LePlace Condominium. He also served as a director with Gallipolis Savings and Loan for ten years.
An avid golfer, Charles had seven holes-in-one and was Club Champion two years at the Bird Bay Golf Club in Vernice, Florida. He played golf several times a week until about two years ago when he hung up his clubs. He is a life member of American Legion Post 27, VFW Post 4464, Elks Lodge 107, and Morning Dawn Lodge 007.
He was a member of the Aladdin Shrine Club where he had served as president. Many that went to school in the 1960’s will remember all the parties that Charles and Juanita hosted when they opened their home to provide a safe, fun environment at various special times like homecoming, prom, or New Years and the many hours out on the river water skiing. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Willis Funeral Home.
Friends and family may visit from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. There will be a military flag presentation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229.
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