Neal was born in Newton Memorial Hospital on November 26, 1959. He spent his first 5 years of life in Andover Township before moving to Wantage; he was a lifelong resident of Sussex County. Neal graduated from High Point Regional High School in 1978. He was a hardworking, self-taught, accomplished businessman in all facets of the construction industry. Neal successfully owned and operated NVG Construction for the past 15 years.
Neal loved the Lord with all of his heart. He fiercely loved his family. The absolute joy of his life was being known as “Bapa” to his five grandchildren. Neal was a faithful member of Christ the King Church in Dover where he served as a Deacon. Neal was an avid supporter of the Market Street Mission.
He was a former member of the Beemerville Vol. Fire Department, where he served as chaplain. Neal led the project to build Northwest Christian School in Newton and served as their Board President for many years. In his limited spare time, he enjoyed watching the Mets, Giants, NASCAR and soccer. Neal leaves behind a legacy of selfless service to others.
Neal is survived by his parents, Nicholas and Jeanette (VanderPloeg) Van der Groef; his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 40 years, Karen (Jones) Van der Groef; his children, Jenna Leigh Sebring and husband, Seth, Dustin Neal Van der Groef and wife, Becky, Kelsey Erin Murphy and husband, Will; his grandchildren, Hudsyn, Clayton, Adrielle, Zion and Rylan; and his siblings, Gert Sweeney and husband, Bob, Herman Van der Groef and wife, Tami, and Jeff Van der Groef and wife, Tracy.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Monday, November 28, 2022, at Christ the King Church, 39 Orchard St, Dover, NJ. Interment will follow in Beemerville Cemetery, 241 CR 519, Wantage, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Neal’s memory to Market Street Mission (marketstreet.org) or to Christ the King Church (ctknj.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
