Neil C. Gorby

Neil C. Gorby, 88, of Springfield, died at 7:08 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy. Neil was born on May 13, 1921 in Peru, KS, the son of Jesse Clayton and Nellie Maude McClain Gorby. He married Mary Ruth Hudson on February 14, 1945 at the First Christian Church in Sedan, KS. She preceded him in death on January 30, 2007. Neil was a Class of 1939 graduate of Peru High School. He then went to serve in the Army Air Corp. and served in the European Theatre in WWII as a C-47 Aerial Engineer in troop carrier squadrons. Neil was a printer in Winfield, KS and for the Butler County News in Eldorado, KS before moving to Springfield. He then began working as a printer for the State Journal Register in 1961 and retired in 1989. He was a member of the retiree group from the State Journal Register and a former member of the VFW and American Legion both in Kansas. Neil was also a member of the First Christian Church in Springfield and a lifetime member of the Typographical Union. Neil was also preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his son, Rev. Jim (wife, Margie) Gorby of Washington, IL; his daughter, Genise (husband, Jim) Higginbotham of Athens; three grandchildren: John (wife, Denise) Higginbotham of Springfield, Jami (husband, Dean) Edwards of Concord, NC and Jenifer Johnson of Athens; four great grandchildren: Alex, Michael and Patrick Edwards of Concord, NC and Hayle Johnson of Athens; brother, Doyle (wife, Wilba) Gorby of Peru, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 10 a.m. until the beginning of the memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Neil's son, the Rev. James Gorby, will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery with military honors provided by the Air Force. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131 or the donor's choice.