Johnnie Neale

John (Johnnie) Talbot Neale, Jerico Spring, Missouri, departed this life Sunday, June 22, 2025 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 91 years, 11 months and three days.

Johnnie was born July 19, 1933, to J.T. (Tab) Neale and (Lulu) Marion Pyle Neale, along with a twin sister, JoAnn, who passed away shortly after birth. He grew up on the banks of Cedar Creek in Cedarville, Missouri, where his pastimes included hunting, fishing and collecting arrowheads. This he would say was his favorite hobby.

Johnnie attended Stockton High School and graduated in 1951. After graduation, on September 29, 1951, he married Joyce Ann Eggleson and the two started a lifelong journey. Together they had three daughters, seven granddaughters and fourteen great­ grandchildren. 

Johnnie worked for the United States Postal Service where he served as a letter carrier, supervisor and finally postmaster in Lockwood, Missouri. He retired in 1992 and followed his dream of working on the farm and raising cattle. A dream that was sparked as a young man participating in FFA raising and showing calves. Johnnie spent the last 30+ years of retired life raising Black Angus cows, a job that he truly loved. On any given day you would find him out in the fields, riding his 4-wheeler, and taking care of his cows.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. (Tab) and Marion Neale, sisters Marjorie Neale (Rector) and infant twin JoAnn, and great-grandsons Dalton Horton and Kaynen Boehne.

He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Joyce Neale; daughters Kathie (Donald) Needham, Karen (Joe) Graf and Shelly (Steve) Lasater; granddaughters Heather Rusch, Kim Young, Sarah Long, Jenna Purdham, Elisabeth Lasater-Liu, Hailey Rushing and Chelsea Bailey, along with a host of great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 28, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the Brand-Brumback Funeral Home with burial in Cedarville Cemetery near Jerico Springs.