Leota L. Neely

Cridersville

Leota L. Neely, 76, died at 8:14 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009, at Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert, following a 16-month battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 24, 1933, in Lima to Carl Raymond and Blanche C. Spyker Priestap, who preceded her in death. On June 6, 1953, she married Lawrence E. Neely, who died May 21, 2002.

Mrs. Neely retired as a waitress, cook and bartender from 20th Century Bowling Lanes and American Legion. She loved to go gamble and play bingo. She was a member of American Legion Post 96 Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275 Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370 Auxiliary and the Thursday Night Women’s Card Club. She loved her grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, Carl (Joan) Neely, Dean E. Neely and Tim E. Neely, all of Lima; two daughters, Edye Neely, of Sevierville, Tenn., and Eva (Tony) Holbrook, of Harrod; a stepson, Rick (Pam) Neely, of Burke, Texas; a stepdaughter, Doris, of Columbus; 11 grandchildren, Marty Neely, Brian Neely, Tiffiney (Brad) Conner, J.R. (Ashley) Neely, Christina Neeley, Tasha (Jason) Rister, Chad (Angie) Holbrook, Nathan Holbrook, Wesley Neely, Sara Roller and Mike Roller; five great-grandchildren, Tyler Neely, Brianna Montgomery, Avery Conner, Brody Rister and Mackenzie Neely; and a sister, Beverly Huffer, of Lima.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Carl M. Priestap; and two sisters, Sandra Kempfer and Imogene Conrad.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Burial of the cremains will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Professionals, 1155 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.

The family would like to thank the great nurses at the hospice centers in Van Wert and Ada.

Arrangements are by Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville.