John Robert Neel

John Robert Neel, 87, of Bloomington, Ind., passed away Friday (June 10, 2016). He was born Oct. 12, 1928, in Fairmount, Ind., the son of James Robert and Sara Pauline (Gift) Neel. He married Rosalie Buchanan on Dec. 28, 1952 in Bloomington, Ind. John attended schools in Fairmount and Kokomo, Ind., and graduated from University High School in Bloomington, Ind., in 1946. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in geology and Master of Science degree in science education from Indiana University. He taught earth science in the Kankakee School District. At the same time, he was an author and photographer for science education materials and was an environmental activist by virtue of field work and teaching adult education courses at Kankakee Community College. He received a National Science Foundation grant to attend the University of California at Berkeley for a summer session. He also attended Southern Illinois University for a summer session in outdoor education and completed class work at Indiana State University. He sponsored a Boy Scout troup, enabling them to earn their science badges, and was a member of the Kankakee Camera Club, earning slide of the year as well as other honors. Retiring to Bloomington, Ind., in 1991, he became a member of St. Mark's Methodist Church, the Bloomington Stamp Club, actively pursued an interest in collectible books and volunteered at the Science Olympiad and Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Care Plan. Survivors include his wife, Rosalie Buchanan Neel; daughters, Julia Dietterle (Steven), Alicia Neel, Jeannine Murphy (James), and Jill Marcotte (Mark); grandsons, Matthew Dietterle (Melissa), Christopher Murphy (Cassidy Milder) and Ryan Marcotte; granddaughters, Laura Marcotte Kimmel (Chris), Megan Murphy Shipley (Robert) and Elizabeth Marcotte; one great-grandchild, Jude Kimmel; one sister, Nina Neel Olvey (Donald); one brother, Keith Neel (Theresa); brothers-in-law, Russell Buchanan and Raymond Buchanan (Joan) and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; one brother, Paul Arnold Neel; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Neel. A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be at 11 a.m. (EST) on Friday, June 24, 2016 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Bloomington, Ind. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 South Old State Road 37, Bloomington, Ind. Please sign his online guestbook at allencares.com.

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John Robert Neel

October 12, 1928 - June 10, 2016