Joey Allen Neltner

On August 9, 1976, God blessed his mother, Kathy (Neltner) Smith and father, Joseph Neltner with a very handsome little boy with his dad's big beautiful blue eyes. He was placed into his mother’s arms to meet her.

On June 19, 2016, Joey lost his battle with cancer and passed away in his mother’s arms and Jesus took him from her arms into His. His suffering and pain then ended. As much as his Dad and Mom loved him and will miss him for the rest of their earthly lives, they can only find comfort knowing that Joey is finally at peace and pain free and home with his Lord.

Joey is survived by his parents; one son, Austin Neltner of Bellevue; one brother, Joshua (Cassandra) Neltner of S. Pekin; one sister, Tara (Joe) Cook of Peoria; his maternal grandmother, Wilda Smith of Peoria; his step-mother, Lori McCullough; three nephews, one niece; his Aunt Patty Smith who loved him as a son and he loved her to the moon and back; his cousins Corey (Tracey) Sebens, Amy (Brian) Groeper and kids, Sheila (David) Etnier and kids meant the world to him; more cousins and many more family members. Joey loved his family and friends very much. We all have been devastated over Joey’s untimely passing and we will miss him forever. Joey was a wonderful, loving, caring, witty young man with a good heart and soul. His best friend in the whole world, TJ Ireland, from Colorado, surprised Joey with a visit, to help care for him, spending some nights at the hospital, and sharing quality time with his best bro during his final weeks. Joey loved this man and his family very much.

He was preceded in death by both his paternal grandparents, Betty and James Neltner; maternal grandfather, Perry Smith; and one uncle, Eddy Smith.

Joey was a 1995 graduate of Manual High School. He was an avid gamer; spending much of his free time on the computer, enjoyed late model racing with his Dad throughout the Midwest, watching professional baseball and football games with much enthusiasm, with the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers being his favorite. Joey continued to work his third shift cashier position at the Shell Station in Bartonville until the pain made it too difficult to walk, stand or sit. Joey loved his second family at Shell; they were all very close. The patrons at this station and the sister station on Airport Rd. has been absolutely wonderful in supporting Joey during his illness. He appreciated all well wishes, prayers, and thoughts from so many people.

I know Joey would like to thank the Illinois Cancer Center, Susan and Jackie with Hospice Compassus and especially the 1700 floor at OSF where he was hospitalized several times. All staff and personnel took awesome care of him with dignity and grace.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.

He will truly be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Funeral Services will be at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church. Visitation will be two hours prior to services. Pastor Karl Eckhoff will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded.

In memory of Joey any monetary donations may be given to the Illinois Cancer Center or Hospice Compassus.

To view Joey’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence please go to www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.