Donnie Neely

(From Fohn Funeral Home)

Donnie Lee Neely, age 83, of Monett, Missouri, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Mr. Neely, son of Leonard and Lorine (Hagemier) Neely, was born on February 26, 1938, in Stotts City, Missouri. 

 Subsequent to graduating high school in Miller, Missouri, Donnie enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served his country proudly from 1956 to 1960. On July 16, 1960, Donnie was united in marriage to Bonnie Einspahr, the love of his life, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Donnie was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #165 A.F. & A.M. in Collinsville, Oklahoma, and the Fairview Antique Car Club, and Zion United Church in Stotts City. He worked for the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Monett Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

After retirement from American Airlines, Donnie continued using his pilot license to fly for the Missouri conservation department, working as a firewatch pilot in the Mark Twain National Forrest and all of Barry County.

Donnie was an avid car enthusiast. He found a lot of joy in collecting old cars and working on them. He also enjoyed going to flea markets in his spare time and was a collector of firearms.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-one years, Bonnie Neely, of Monett; his children, Susan Neely-Eden and her husband Larry, of Monett, and Bill Neely and his wife Karen, of Hawkins, Texas; four grandchildren, Melissa Cleaveland, of Neosho, Missouri, Michael Seitz, of Monett, Missouri, Jon Neely, of White Castle, Louisianna, and Levi Neely, of Monett, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Brinn, Tinley, Delaney, Hannah, Addison and Issac; one sister, Kay Reynolds, of Sarcoxie; one brother, Ray Neely, of La Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by one grandson, Daniel Neely; and two sisters, Marilyn Garrison and Linda Neely.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Zion United Church of Christ in Stotts City, with Pastor Bob Farres officiating; cremation arrangements to follow.

The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until service begins.

Service and cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.