Sybil M. Neel

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Sybil Neel - a true Georgia peach, a devoted wife, an inspiring educator, a faithful servant of Christ, and a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Sybil was born on July 25, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia, where her radiant spirit first began to shine.
Sybil graduated from Oglethorpe University with a degree in elementary education and later earned her master's degree from Ball State University, focusing on gifted and talented education. But her greatest lessons were not found in textbooks-they were found in her love, her laughter, and her unwavering faith. For 27 years, she was lovingly known as "Mrs. Neel" to countless 5th and 6th graders in Blackford County Schools, having also taught earlier in Lexington, Kentucky. Her classrooms were filled with warmth, wisdom, and just the right dash of Southern wit.
On June 8, 1955, she married the love of her life, Rev. Robert "Bob" Neel, in what was one of the largest weddings ever held at Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta with over 1,500 in attendance. Together, they formed an extraordinary ministry team that blessed churches and communities across Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana. Since December of 1959, they poured their hearts into Hartford City, Indiana, where Bob pastored First Christian Church and later helped launch several local ministries. With Sybil faithfully by his side, they founded the Christian House Church in 1972, which would later become Calvary Christian Church and ultimately Calvary Christian Lighthouse Church - all expressions of their commitment to bringing the love of Jesus to Blackford County.
Sybil was a prayer warrior with a joyful heart and an infectious sense of humor. Her faith was not only spoken - it was lived. She could lift spirits with a simple pun or a quick-witted phrase. When asked how she was feeling, her signature reply was always with a playful grin: "With my hands." Her prayers could calm storms, and her laughter could light up a room. Her life was a living testimony of grace, strength, and joy.
She is survived by her three loving children: Rob (Tammy) Neel of Columbia City, IN; Chris (Sandy) Neel of Fishers, IN; and Eva Dell (John) Neel-Hewitt of Aspendale, Melbourne, Australia. She also leaves behind seven adoring grandchildren and two great-grandsons who will forever treasure her legacy of love, faith, and fun.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Sybil is survived by her incredible, loving sister, Sarah Ann Long of Claremont, California, and by several nieces and nephews whom she truly loved and cherished.
Sybil was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Rev. Bob Neel; her parents, J. Lloyd and Lelia Maria Sanders; her sister, Margaret Hunter; and her precious granddaughter, Jennifer Renee Neel.
Though her passing leaves a deep ache in our hearts, Sybil's vibrant spirit continues to shine in the lives she touched. Her parting prayer for us all can be found in her favorite Scripture, 2 Corinthians 3:16–18:
"But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
We rejoice that Sybil is now beholding the full glory of her Savior - transformed from glory to greater glory - and we find comfort in knowing that the Spirit of the Lord she so deeply cherished is still with us, giving us peace and freedom.
Until we meet again, sweet Sybil we love you, and we thank God for the gift of your beautiful life.
A celebration of Sybil's life will be held at Prairie Lakes Health Campus in Noblesville IN @ 11AM on Wednesday July 30, 2025.
Funeral Service at 1 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Keplinger Funeral Home, 509 N. High St., Hartford City with Pastor Rob Neel officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will follow service at Hartford City Cemetery.
The family has asked that any memorials be made to the Blackford County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 327, Hartford City, IN 47348. Please put a note that the money donated in honor of Sybil Neel is for a scholarship for a student going to college for teaching.