Rell O. Neely

Rell O. Neely, 80, of 10435 Maple Lane, Conneaut Lake and formerly of Meadville, died Thursday, October 4, 2007 at Rolling Fields Nursing Home.

He was born in Lamartine, PA January 2, 1927 a son of Calvin and Dolly Curtis Neely.  He married Virginia Batchelor December 28, 1957 and she survives.

He owned and operated Rell Neely Home Improvement for 30 years.  He was a 1944 graduate of Meadville High School and a 1958 graduate of Fenn College (the predecessor of Cleveland State University) with a degree in Business Administration.  He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War serving from 1944 – 1952 with the US Navy.

He was a longtime member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Masonic Lodge #408, Scottish Rite Bodies and the Rotary Club of Linesville.  He was a former member of Rotary AM Club of Meadville and the Saegertown American Legion.  He loved gardening, woodworking, traveling and his family.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Virginia of 49 years, include: two daughters, Janice Arnett and her husband Joe of Espyville and Ginelle Gillette and her husband Ted of Meadville; six grandchildren, Jonathan Arnett, Samantha Arnett, Heidi Gillette, Tanya Gillette, Lydia Gillette and Andrew Gillette; a step great granddaughter, Audria Arnett and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son; three brothers, Merrill Neely, Ellis Neely and Delbert Neely and one sister, Hazel Neely.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville and Monday from 10:30 -11:30 at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 30 N. Park Avenue, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Emmanuel United Church of Christ 30 N. Park Avenue, Meadville with the Rev. Dr. Timothy Solomon, Pastor, officiating.  Military honors will be provided by VFW Post 2006.

Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine Street, or the American Cancer Society, Dedicated to Dad’s Relay for Life Team, 464 Pine Street, or Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 30 N. Park Avenue, all of Meadville, PA 16335.