John M. Neal

John M. Neal, born January 2, 1943, in Chicago, IL, to Lott and Ann Neal, passed away on March 30, 2024, at 12:33 PM, surrounded by his beloved family members. He was preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Gary Neal. John is survived by his loving wife, Sarah Neal; their children: John C. Neal, Sharon Scott, Tracey Biars; and six grandchildren.

John honorably served in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Korea. Following his military service, he worked at Ford Motors in Joliet as a mechanic for many years before venturing out to start his own trucking business.

John was an avid enthusiast of American history, particularly the Civil War era. He enjoyed learning about historical events that shaped our nation. John also had a love for the open road, which included long-distance road trips, driving for work, and the joyful solace of Sunday drives, often venturing out to explore new places or visits to family far away.

In his leisure time, John could be found tinkering in his garage, working on various projects while listening to 70’s country music. He took joy in spending time with his grandchildren and held a special place in his heart for the many dogs he cherished as pets over the years. And as a passionate baseball fan, he was especially devoted to watching his beloved Chicago Cubs.

John will be remembered for his love and dedication to his family, his legacy of hard work, and his wry sense of humor by those who knew him best. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation and a memorial service will be held in honor of John M. Neal at Kurz Memorial Chapel, 102 Francis Road, New Lenox, IL, on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United Service Organizations (USO) in John’s memory.

A private, family burial will follow in honor of John’s wishes.