Russell Duane Neeley, age 87, of Brookfield, MO, passed away Friday,
March 24, 2023, at Pershing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield, MO.
Duane, son of Russell and Bertha (Shaw) Neeley, was born October 4,
1935, Olive Street, Laclede, MO. He graduated from Laclede High School
in May 1953. He received a Basketball Scholarship to Northeast Missouri
Collage (now Truman University). His basketball highlight was making 40
points in one game at Laplata, MO.
Duane married Margaret Singleton
on August 12, 1956. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary August 12,
2016. They have lived in the Laclede area, on the same farm, all their
married lives. They have raised Duroc Hogs and Hereford Cattle on the
farm.
Duane’s first years of teaching began at Laclede Public
School as Athletic Coach and taught high school shop. The following year
began teaching at Meadville R-4 School as shop instructor followed by
many other teaching positions. One of his highlights was coaching a
Championship Girls Basketball teams. He taught at Meadville R-4 for
seventeen years.
Duane and Margaret operated three businesses in
Laclede. First, they and a partner operated R&R Grain Elevator. His
father had a heart attack so they operated Neeley’s D=X Station until it
was sold. Duane went back to teaching drafting and shop at Brookfield
R-3 for eighteen years. They opened and Antique shop in Laclede after he
retired from 36 years of teaching.
Through the years, they have
been active in the community. Duane was President of the Laclede Housing
and saw to the completion of the present units. His Brookfield drafting
class drew up the plans for the Lambert Community Building and Margaret
served on the committee to raise the rest of the funds to build the
Community Building. The building was constructed by a former Meadville
student, Bill Wilburn and his crew.
Duane is survived by his wife
Margaret of the home, two sons, Dana Neeley and wife Sharon of Maitland,
MO; and Darrell Neeley and wife DaLana of Brookfield, MO;
daughter-in-law, Carla Neeley of Brookfield, MO; six grandchildren,
Amanda Lee and husband Jason of Chillicothe, MO; Nathan Neeley and Kelly
of Jamesport, MO; Russell Neeley of St. Joseph, MO; Kristen Neeley of
Columbia, MO; Jennifer (Neeley) Harezlak of Laclede, MO; and Matthew
Neeley of Wake Forest, NC; seven great-grandchildren, and several other
relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Randy Neeley.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Rhodes
Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO: with Pastor David Blakely officiating.
Burial will be at Parklawn Memorial Garden Cemetery at a later time.
Visitation will be held at Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO; on
Thursday, March 30, 2023, with family receiving friends from 1:00 pm.
until the time of the service at 2:00 pm. Services are under the
direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO.
Memorials have
been suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or Laclede United
Methodist Church and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home,
216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made
at www.rhodesfh.com