Corneal, 91, of East Lansing went to heaven on Friday, December 19, 2014. He was raised on a family farm in Missaukee County, Michigan, the son of Roy and Gertrude Veltema.
He attended Hillside Public School through 8th grade. His formal education was limited as his help was needed on the farm. Neal was always quick with numbers.
Growing up during the hard times of the Great Depression Neal learned the value of hard work, thrift and perseverance.
Neal was called into service with the Army in May 1944 and served in the European Theatre during World War II. He received 1 major battle star and 2 purple hearts. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Company A, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, 1st Army and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war ended in Europe, Neal served with the Army of Occupation of Germany until his honorable discharge from in March of 1946.
Neal married Esther Ellen Elizabeth Walenjus on April 24.1946. The couple settled in Lansing Michigan. Neal went into the building trade and became a skilled framing and finish carpenter. Neal owned and operated a family home building business for 35 years in the Greater Lansing area. He developed a subdivision on the east side of Holt.
Neal and Esther lived in retirement in Missaukee County, while wintering in southern states. They spent their later years at Independence Village of East Lansing. Neal and Esther were married 61 years until Esther's passing.
For many years, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing and in later life playing Bingo. Neal was also a long time fan of Michigan State football and basketball and Detroit Tiger baseball.
He was active in church life, being a Charter Member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lansing and later served as an elder at Immanuel Community Reformed Church. Neal loved God, Family and Country.
Neal was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude and Roy, wife Esther, sisters Agnes and Hannah, brother Adrian and step-brothers Alvin and Roger.
He is survived by brother Mearl, sister Grace, 2 sons, Greg (Patti) and Bruce (Mary), and 4 grandchildren, Anne (Eric) Gaertner, Nancy (fiancé Mike Everson), Jack (Katie), and Kelly (Nate) Leonard, one great grand-daughter Natalie Elisabeth Leonard, one great step grandson AJ Gaertner and another grandchild expected in June 2015.
Neal's life was celebrated on December 23, 2014 at River Terrace Church, East Lansing, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Neal's memory to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing MI or the American Lung Association Chicago, IL.
The family would like to thank Kelly Mahoney who showed Neal much care and compassion during his time living at Independence Village of East Lansing. The family appreciates the friendship and care Neal found from the staff, home health agencies operating there and the many friends, neighbors and Bingo players Neal socialized with while living at Independence Village of East Lansing.
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing, MI.
He attended Hillside Public School through 8th grade. His formal education was limited as his help was needed on the farm. Neal was always quick with numbers.
Growing up during the hard times of the Great Depression Neal learned the value of hard work, thrift and perseverance.
Neal was called into service with the Army in May 1944 and served in the European Theatre during World War II. He received 1 major battle star and 2 purple hearts. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Company A, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, 1st Army and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war ended in Europe, Neal served with the Army of Occupation of Germany until his honorable discharge from in March of 1946.
Neal married Esther Ellen Elizabeth Walenjus on April 24.1946. The couple settled in Lansing Michigan. Neal went into the building trade and became a skilled framing and finish carpenter. Neal owned and operated a family home building business for 35 years in the Greater Lansing area. He developed a subdivision on the east side of Holt.
Neal and Esther lived in retirement in Missaukee County, while wintering in southern states. They spent their later years at Independence Village of East Lansing. Neal and Esther were married 61 years until Esther's passing.
For many years, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing and in later life playing Bingo. Neal was also a long time fan of Michigan State football and basketball and Detroit Tiger baseball.
He was active in church life, being a Charter Member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lansing and later served as an elder at Immanuel Community Reformed Church. Neal loved God, Family and Country.
Neal was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude and Roy, wife Esther, sisters Agnes and Hannah, brother Adrian and step-brothers Alvin and Roger.
He is survived by brother Mearl, sister Grace, 2 sons, Greg (Patti) and Bruce (Mary), and 4 grandchildren, Anne (Eric) Gaertner, Nancy (fiancé Mike Everson), Jack (Katie), and Kelly (Nate) Leonard, one great grand-daughter Natalie Elisabeth Leonard, one great step grandson AJ Gaertner and another grandchild expected in June 2015.
Neal's life was celebrated on December 23, 2014 at River Terrace Church, East Lansing, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Neal's memory to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing MI or the American Lung Association Chicago, IL.
The family would like to thank Kelly Mahoney who showed Neal much care and compassion during his time living at Independence Village of East Lansing. The family appreciates the friendship and care Neal found from the staff, home health agencies operating there and the many friends, neighbors and Bingo players Neal socialized with while living at Independence Village of East Lansing.
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing, MI.
Corneal, 91, of East Lansing went to heaven on Friday, December 19, 2014. He was raised on a family farm in Missaukee County, Michigan, the son of Roy and Gertrude Veltema.
He attended Hillside Public School through 8th grade. His formal education was limited as his help was needed on the farm. Neal was always quick with numbers.
Growing up during the hard times of the Great Depression Neal learned the value of hard work, thrift and perseverance.
Neal was called into service with the Army in May 1944 and served in the European Theatre during World War II. He received 1 major battle star and 2 purple hearts. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Company A, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, 1st Army and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war ended in Europe, Neal served with the Army of Occupation of Germany until his honorable discharge from in March of 1946.
Neal married Esther Ellen Elizabeth Walenjus on April 24.1946. The couple settled in Lansing Michigan. Neal went into the building trade and became a skilled framing and finish carpenter. Neal owned and operated a family home building business for 35 years in the Greater Lansing area. He developed a subdivision on the east side of Holt.
Neal and Esther lived in retirement in Missaukee County, while wintering in southern states. They spent their later years at Independence Village of East Lansing. Neal and Esther were married 61 years until Esther's passing.
For many years, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing and in later life playing Bingo. Neal was also a long time fan of Michigan State football and basketball and Detroit Tiger baseball.
He was active in church life, being a Charter Member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lansing and later served as an elder at Immanuel Community Reformed Church. Neal loved God, Family and Country.
Neal was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude and Roy, wife Esther, sisters Agnes and Hannah, brother Adrian and step-brothers Alvin and Roger.
He is survived by brother Mearl, sister Grace, 2 sons, Greg (Patti) and Bruce (Mary), and 4 grandchildren, Anne (Eric) Gaertner, Nancy (fiancé Mike Everson), Jack (Katie), and Kelly (Nate) Leonard, one great grand-daughter Natalie Elisabeth Leonard, one great step grandson AJ Gaertner and another grandchild expected in June 2015.
Neal's life was celebrated on December 23, 2014 at River Terrace Church, East Lansing, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Neal's memory to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing MI or the American Lung Association Chicago, IL.
The family would like to thank Kelly Mahoney who showed Neal much care and compassion during his time living at Independence Village of East Lansing. The family appreciates the friendship and care Neal found from the staff, home health agencies operating there and the many friends, neighbors and Bingo players Neal socialized with while living at Independence Village of East Lansing.
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing, MI.
He attended Hillside Public School through 8th grade. His formal education was limited as his help was needed on the farm. Neal was always quick with numbers.
Growing up during the hard times of the Great Depression Neal learned the value of hard work, thrift and perseverance.
Neal was called into service with the Army in May 1944 and served in the European Theatre during World War II. He received 1 major battle star and 2 purple hearts. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Company A, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, 1st Army and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war ended in Europe, Neal served with the Army of Occupation of Germany until his honorable discharge from in March of 1946.
Neal married Esther Ellen Elizabeth Walenjus on April 24.1946. The couple settled in Lansing Michigan. Neal went into the building trade and became a skilled framing and finish carpenter. Neal owned and operated a family home building business for 35 years in the Greater Lansing area. He developed a subdivision on the east side of Holt.
Neal and Esther lived in retirement in Missaukee County, while wintering in southern states. They spent their later years at Independence Village of East Lansing. Neal and Esther were married 61 years until Esther's passing.
For many years, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing and in later life playing Bingo. Neal was also a long time fan of Michigan State football and basketball and Detroit Tiger baseball.
He was active in church life, being a Charter Member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lansing and later served as an elder at Immanuel Community Reformed Church. Neal loved God, Family and Country.
Neal was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude and Roy, wife Esther, sisters Agnes and Hannah, brother Adrian and step-brothers Alvin and Roger.
He is survived by brother Mearl, sister Grace, 2 sons, Greg (Patti) and Bruce (Mary), and 4 grandchildren, Anne (Eric) Gaertner, Nancy (fiancé Mike Everson), Jack (Katie), and Kelly (Nate) Leonard, one great grand-daughter Natalie Elisabeth Leonard, one great step grandson AJ Gaertner and another grandchild expected in June 2015.
Neal's life was celebrated on December 23, 2014 at River Terrace Church, East Lansing, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Neal's memory to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing MI or the American Lung Association Chicago, IL.
The family would like to thank Kelly Mahoney who showed Neal much care and compassion during his time living at Independence Village of East Lansing. The family appreciates the friendship and care Neal found from the staff, home health agencies operating there and the many friends, neighbors and Bingo players Neal socialized with while living at Independence Village of East Lansing.
Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing, MI.
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