Neal C. Joel was born May 30, 1931, in Fairview, Missouri. He passed away November 15, 2023, at the age of 92 years, 5 months, 16 days in Springfield, MO. He was the first of what would become 10 children born to James "Mert" and Margaret (Mortensen) Joel. He grew up on a dairy farm west of Fairview, MO. He attended school and graduated from Fairview High School in 1949. He attended Joplin Junior College and later the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, graduating with a degree in Agriculture. He married a local music schoolteacher, Marjorie Lee Bean from Bois D' Arc, MO on June 15, 1958 and to this union they had 5 children: Karla Stolte and husband Neil, Peggy Henning and husband Gary, Rodney Joel and wife Amy, Terrie Haloupek and husband Tom, and an infant daughter, Ora Lea Joel who died shortly after birth.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie, of 48 years of marriage; two daughters, Peggy Henning and Ora Lea; two brothers, Jimmy Joel, Hugh Joel; two sisters, Margaret Jane Weber and Debbie Edwards.

Neal is survived by 3 children, Karla, Rodney, Terrie; 8 grandchildren, Sarai Fugett and husband Casey, Ashly Johnson and husband JR, Kelsey Joel and fiancé, Dr. Thomas Rieth, Danielle Henning, Heather Haloupek, Haley Joel, Janel Haloupek, Keller Haloupek; 3 great grandchildren, Arabella, Tytus and Zander, who affectionately called him PaPaPa; 5 sisters, Carolyn Smith, Doreen Agee, Lois Weems, Patricia Baker, Joanna Kenyon; several nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Neal was a simple, quiet, gentle, hardworking man. He loved the outdoors and the country. He was a weather watcher. Neal loved to read the newspaper. Besides farming, he worked full time in Springfield, MO for MFA in meat packaging. He took care of several rent houses and Clear Creek Cemetery for over 30 years. He was always busy working long days. Neal has been a member of Bois D' Arc Methodist Church since 1958, always making sure he paid tithes and offerings. He attended church every Sunday, no matter what, until he moved into the Bungalows.

The family would like to thank Chesterfield Bungalows for taking care of Neal for the last 11 months of his life and the Bois D' Arc Methodist Church for visitations and gift baskets. He will be missed by his family and friends. We were fortunate to have him for 92 years of life.

Visitation will be 10:00AM until service time, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Funeral services will begin at 11:00AM with burial to follow at Clear Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Bois D' Arc Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home.