Eddie S McNeely

Eddie S. McNeely, 67, of Mason, Ohio, died suddenly at home on January 12, 2017. Ed taught middle school and high school math for 30 years in Amelia, London, and Middletown school districts. Following his retirement in 2003, Ed did a couple of long term substitute teaching positions, tutored for Huntington, and taught Adult Education in Middletown for a number of years. He was really quite good at explaining math concepts to students, particularly one on one.

Ed was an extremely enthusiastic sports fan, ESPECIALLY of Ohio State football! He had tremendous respect for Woody Hayes, so much so that his college roommate was sure that he would name his first born son Wayne Woodrow McNeely! He enjoyed watching all sports especially his own children and his grandson. He got a lot of joy from coaching athletics, probably because he was teaching and mentoring young people! Since 1972, Ed has coached girls and boys, from ages 5 to 19, in baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, track, chess, quiz team, and of course, football in both school and community leagues.

Another favorite past time of Ed’s were puzzles--three dimensional, word, and especially math puzzles. He could solve a Rubik’s cube in just a short amount of time. He loved playing cards, as it was a McNeely family activity with multi-generations.

Ed inspired many through his teaching, coaching and his sense of humor. His “dad” jokes never disappointed. His humor ranged from teasing his children’s team mates to coming up with his own puns and a dry wit that made adults smile or burst out laughing. He loved to laugh and smile and grin and all of those were contagious!

Ed was born in Mansfield, Ohio, to William Moses and Christine (Roberts) McNeely on October 7, 1949, the youngest of eight children. He attended elementary school in Perrysville and Mansfield and graduated from Malabar High School in 1967. He attended the Mansfield branch of Ohio State University for two years before transferring to the main campus in Columbus, where he graduated with a BS in Math Education. He worked on his master’s degree but set it aside when his wife was trying to finish her PhD.

He married Niki Nestor, on August 4, 1979 in London, Ohio and then again in a Greek Orthodox ceremony on November 22, 1979 on Thanksgiving Day in Atlantic City, NJ. Although he was not Greek, Ed was baptized Greek Orthodox. He made his father-in-law and mother-in-law quite proud by serving on the church council at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox church, including many years as president. He was a member of the Order of AHEPA and served several terms as president of the Middletown chapter. In addition, he served as co-chair of Greekfest for more than a dozen years, alongside his wife.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Josephine Winters of Mansfield, three brothers, Lester of Lucas, Melvin of Mansfield, and Bill of Enon, and three nephews, Brian of Riverview, FL, Dustin of Mansfield and Jeff of Malbary. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Niki, of Mason, a son, Christopher (Amanda) of Columbus, a daughter, Maria, of Silver Spring, MD, two grandsons, Cameron William McNeely and Cooper Roberts McNeely of Columbus, two sisters, Millie Tamburrino of Mansfield, and Betty (Ray) Thoman of Columbus, two sisters-in-law, Ellie McNeely of Enon and Carol Barber McNeely of Mansfield, a godson, Yiannis Logothetis of Lake Mills, WI, numerous cousins, 26 nieces and nephews, 72 great nieces and nephews and 42 great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Breitenbach and Anderson, 517 Sutphin Avenue, Middletown, on Sunday, January 15 from 4 to 7 pm. AHEPA service will be held at 5:15 pm. Rev. Father Joseph Gingrich will do the Trisagion prayer service at 6 pm. The Funeral will be on Monday, January 16, at 10 am at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Grand Avenue, Middletown. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, 171 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason. A traditional meal will be provided at the Mason Grange Hall, 209 North Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, following the burial service.

Donations in memoriam are requested for Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Grand Avenue, Middletown, Ohio 45044 or the Nestor Education Fund, c/o 69 Beote Road, Union, ME 04862