James E. Neely

James E. Neely Sr. of Sugarcreek Station entered into his Heavenly reward on November 30. He was 81 years old. Born on August 15, 1931 in Franklin, James was the son of Jacob Neely and Pearl Kinnear Keith Neely. He was affectionately nicknamed Duke by his brother. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was married to Leola Beers Neely on February 18, 1956 in Emporium, Pennsylvania by his wifes brother, Rev. Wilbur Beers. James was retired from Franklin Steel Industries after working there for 37 years. He was a Korean War Veteran and served in the US Army with the Engineers for 2 years. He loved attending church and was a member of the Franklin Weslyan Methodist Church. James enjoyed fishing, hunting, and listening to music. He loved to sing. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandson. Surviving in addition to his wife are his 4 children, James E. Neely, Jr. and his wife, Theresa, of Barberton, Ohio, Linda Covert and her husband, Daniel, of Franklin, John Neely and his wife, Debbie, of Cochranton, and Debbie Fish and her husband, Phillip, of Wichita, Kansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua Covert and his wife, Amanda, of Meadville, Rebekah Shorts and her husband, Lee, of Cooperstown, Benjamin Covert of Franklin, Daniel and Alicia Neely of Ohio, Stephanie Neely of Cochranton, and 5 step-grandchildren, including Isaac Ford of Barberton, Ohio; and his great-grandson, Jackson Shorts of Cooperstown. James is also survived by numerous special nieces and nephews. Proceeding him in death were his parents, his daughter-in-law, Miriam Smith Neely, and his siblings, Wilda Brittney, Bernice Early, Francis Shuffstall, June Fry, Robert Keith, Leoda Cramer, Ruth Daugherty, and Richard (Dick) Neely. Family and friends of James will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Monday, December 3 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jonathan Bell, pastor of Franklin Weslyan Methodist Church. Military honors will be accorded by the local V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Franklin Weslyan Methodist Church. To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.