Cleo E. Neally

CARTHAGE, Ill. -- Cleo E. Neally, 82, of Jacksonville, formerly of Carthage, died Saturday (May 16, 2009) in Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville. He was born Sept. 28, 1926, in Carthage, a son of Frank and Lillian Morgan Neally. He married Ida Mae Stevens Dukes on Dec. 2, 1950, in Fairmount and she survives. Mr. Neally was a graduate of Carthage High School and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of VFW Post 5117 and American Legion Post 74, the Meredosia Historical Society and Denver Christian Church. He began his career with the Wabash Railroad as a telegrapher and 41 years later retired as a Norfolk Southern agent manning a computer. During his years with the railroad, he became quite a collector of railroad antiques. He even dismantled the Carthage Depot and restored it as a cabin at Smith Lake in Meredosia with the help of his sons. While his passion for railroading was great, his passion for his family was even greater. He was involved in all aspects of his children and grandchildren's lives, be it school, Scouting, sports or teaching his woodworking skills. Known as "Papa Shorty" to some and "Pood" to others, his quick wit and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He is also survived by two sons, Ron (Candee) Dukes of Payson and David (Kathleen) Neally of Brentwood, Tenn.; one daughter, Linda Newman of Jacksonville; 15 grandchildren, Damon (Christian) Dukes, Michelle Dukes, DeAnne (Tony) Finley, Devan (Shawn Caldwell) Neally, Danica (Wesley) Rexroat, Jessica (Matt) Bullard, Heather (Jamie) Evans, Joshua Newman, Roger (Tonya) Newell, Aaron (Lisa) Newell, Carolyn Market, Kaitlin and Jake Forczek, Garrett and Jamie Shores; 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley (Jim) Newell of Hawthorne, Calif., and Dorothy (Glenn Stello) Mowrer of Lewiston; and one brother, Phillip (Annie) Neally of Sarasota, Fla. He was preceded in death by one son, Ed "Stump" Neally; three brothers, Frank "Brud" Neally Jr. (surviving wife, Pat), and Raymond and Henry "Hankie" Morgan; and two sisters, Cerise Durham and Mildred Walsh. SERVICES: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville. Burial will be held at a later date. VISITATION: One hour prior to services in the funeral home. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). ARRANGEMENTS: Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville. WEB SITE: www.buchanancody.com. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.