Arthur Wayne Neel

Arthur Wayne Neel, "The Man with the Garden," 88, of Wytheville, formerly of Tazewell, died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Wythe County Community Hospital in Wytheville. Funeral service will be held Sunday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at the Chestnut Grove Christian Church in Shawver's Mill with the Revs. Larry Ramey and Joe Mack Taylor officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Grafton. He was born March 26, 1921, at Shawver's Mill, son of the late John Henry and Nannie Bell Gregory Neel. He attended Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Wytheville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruthola Meade Leffel Neel; a son, Dean Matthew Neel; and two brothers, William F. Neel and Fred Neel. Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Joe Kelly and Joan Neel of Florida; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen Poffenbarger, Nancy and Dave Heiberg, all of Maryland, Betty and Fred Sisk of Indiana; a son and daughter-in-law, Barry Lynn Neel and Cynthia Grubb of High Point, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Rita Susan and David Bowles of Wytheville; grandchildren, Lynette Neel and husband, Josh Durham, of Charlotte, N.C., Lora Pritchard and husband, Ewan, of Apex, N.C., Sally Bowles of Richmond, Leah Neel of Houston, Texas, Greg Neel of Wilmington, N.C., and Jennifer Bowles and husband, Erik Viegutz of Springfield; and five great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Saturday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wythe County Rescue Squad, 185 W. Spring St., Wytheville, VA 24382; or a favorite charity. Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of the arrangements.