Thomas Neely

Thomas G. Neely, 82, Topeka, passed away on April 29, 2008. He was born on November 21, 1925 in Minneapolis, Kansas, the son of Alan and Sophia Neely, and the brother of Alan (Juanita) Neely II, Garden City. Thomas was a graduate of Minneapolis High School in 1943, and served in the US Navy during WWII. He was a carpenter and farmer in Manhattan, Kansas. He later joined the Farmer's Insurance Group as an Insurance Agent and retired after 34 years. He was a member of the Arab Shrine, Masons, Eastern Star, Optimist, Elks, Highland Park United Methodist Church and Holiday Island Presbyterian Church.

Thomas married Hazel Benninga on November 23, 1946. They were Topeka residents from 1962 - 1993, and then they enjoyed retiring to Holiday Island in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where he was an avid golfer. Hazel preceded Thomas in death on November 26, 2001. Thomas and Hazel had four children: Daniel Lee (Linda) Neely, Dover; Patricia Ann Neely, deceased; David (Patricia) Neely, Topeka; and Deborah Kay Shaughnessy, Topeka; four grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and 20 step-great-grandchildren; and Hazel's dog, Princess.

Graveside memorial services will be at 1 pm Friday, May 2, at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, with a memorial service to follow at Holiday Island at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society, or Heartland Hospice .