Friday, March 30th, 2018
Lillian Neal
Lillian Helen Neal, aged 90, passed away early morning of March 23rd 2018 at St Rita's Medical Center.
She was born in Dayton to Louis Joseph Gau and Magdelena (Bueter) Gau February 10th, 1928 and the youngest of 3 children.
Lil grew up in Dayton Ohio and met Gerald Neal whom she married June 30th 1949. They had 2 children Linda C. Neal and William (Bucky) Neal. They moved to Celina as Gerald Neal was transferred from Dayton to the newly opened Reynolds & Reynolds plant.
Lil always kept herself busy as she involved herself in many organizations. She was a Member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 470 in Coldwater where she held numerous offices including District #2 President. She volunteered at Buckeye Girls State, the Council on Aging, Veterans Hospitals, churches, and nursing homes.
She worked at numerous jobs including a waitress at Arnie's Corner, the Gallop Poll, and retired from Head Start as a cook where she was known to her co-workers and the children as Grandma Lil.
Lil knew no strangers as many referred to her as "Grandma Lil." She never shook a hand, but always asked for a hug. Friends, Family, and those who knew her briefly will miss her terribly but must remember will see her again for our heavenly hug.
Grandma Lil is preceded in death by her parents, brother Wilber Gau and sister Mary Ritter, Husband, and her son William "Bucky" who passed on the same date in 1974 from an auto accident.
She is survived by her daughter Linda Neal, 2 grandchildren (Don and Jim DeArmond), 7 great grand children (Erin, Kylie, Austin, Mari, Lydia, Lillian, and Spencer DeArmond), and "daughter" Judy Billerman and "son" Bill Tippy.
A celebration of life service will be held from 1-4 p.m. April 7 in the community room at Mackinaw Retirement Village, 500 W. Wayne St., Celina.
