Neal Franklin Connelley
March 2, 1924 – October 26, 2014
Sgt. Neal Franklin Connelley, 90, died peacefully Sunday, October 26, 2014, in the Veteran's Administration Hospice Center in Columbia, Mo.
A veteran of World War II, he was part of the original Army Air Core 95th Bomb Group headquartered in Horsham, England.
Neal was born on March 2, 1924, near Vian, Oklahoma to Mattie and Frank Connelley.
In 1942, he joined the armed forces and was sent to Los Angeles, California for headquarters training and later assigned to the Army Air Corps. He was discharged with full honors in 1945. Neal received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, EAME Service ribbon with one silver service star and one bronze service star.
Neal finished his education after WWII and graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in Agronomy in December, 1947.
Neal married Faye Rosane Dunlap in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June, 1948. He began his career teaching agronomy to Veterans and then on an Indian Reservation in Arizona. He later switched to the private sector as supervisor at a grain mill for Albers, a Carnation Company. He later moved to Kansas and worked for the Clorox Company.
In his retirement, he spent several years out in California until he met Ronda Slone which brought Neal back to Missouri, closer to his roots.
In 1999, Neal married Ronda Slone in Jefferson City, Missouri. He and Ronda had many good years together traveling much of the USA in their motor home. They were regular members of the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City.
Neal is survived by his wife, Ronda Connelley; son, Keith Connelley; daughter, Kelly Blinzler; ve grandchildren, Drew Connelley, Ashley Stewart, Adam Blinzler, Erin Blinzler, and Rebecca Blinzler; seven great-grandchildren, Kaden and Taylor Connelley, Cole Stewart, Aidan Blinzler, Ethan, Ryan, and Kailey Hueble, and another little Blinzler boy expected this coming January; step-daughter, Vicky Moore; four step-grandchildren, Tina Benton, Tammy Tombs, Sean Moore and Erica Baumbach; and eight step-great-grandchildren. Neal will also be missed by their two dogs, Jodi and Gaby. Neal is loved and will be missed by all his family and friends.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014, at the First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101, with the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager ofciating.
In lieu of owers donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church or the MDS Foundation, www.mds- foundation.org/donate
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com
Jefferson City News-Tribune (MO) - Sunday, November 9, 2014