Elvie Ray McNeely

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Elvie Ray McNeely, 54, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Mo., following a lengthy illness. He was born March 5, 1958, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Clarence Adolf McNeely and Pearl Scholes McNeely. He married Debra Nocks on April 5, 1975, in St. Joseph, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Elvie was raised in the Sheldon, Mo., area. He moved to Rushville, Mo., in 1974 and attended DeKalb High School. He worked at Atchison Casting in Atchison, Kan., for 15 years, retiring in 1993. Elvie enjoyed fishing, target shooting, and bow hunting. He also liked wood working and driving his tractors. Elvie was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

In addition to his wife, Debra, survivors include two sons, Christopher Shane McNeely and Jason Lee McNeely, both of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; one daughter, Melissa McNeely, Troy, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; three brothers, Clarence McNeely, Lowry City, Mo., James McNeely, Atchison, Kan., and Joe McNeely, Mankato, Minn.; six sisters, Patty Bishop, El Dorado Springs, Mo., Georgia Bell, Nevada, Mo., Madeline Sneed, Sheldon, Mo., Ethel Brower, Nevada, Mo., Lola Slyter, Springhill, Kan., and Kela Vaughn, Lowry City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Barbara McNeely; and stepfather, James Larson.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Jay Jennings officiating. Cremation will follow. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com