Neal Allen Esselburn

Neal Allen Esselburn, age 65, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023. He was born May 15, 1958 in Garrett, Indiana to the late Wilford V. and Evelyn (née VanFossen) Esselburn. He was married to Mary Koehl on June 25, 1977 in Garrett, Indiana.

Neal served in the United States Air Force and proudly served our nation as a missile cable splicer. Stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he serviced cable routes and missile silos in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. He later joined the Air National Guard in Fort Wayne.

After his time in the United States Air Force, Neal returned to Garrett where he worked for a telephone contractor. After this, he worked for Lincoln Financial Group and IBM as a Data Technician until his retirement in 1999.

Neal was always active by running cross country, boxing at the DeKalb County Boxing Club, and swimming. He also enjoyed watching his sons play soccer, baseball, basketball, and running track. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan. Neal was very active in the effort to spread awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. As a volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, he was a long time self-help group leader in Fort Wayne and Auburn. Neal was a major fundraiser for the North Eastern Indiana MS Walk. When he was awarded the Courage Award by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a tree was planted in his honor at Feick Park, in Garrett, to recognize his determination, conviction, and personal faith which made him an inspiration to many.

The family would like to recognize and thank Dr. Ajay Gupta of Fort Wayne Neurology; Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology; Heartland Health Care Teams; Heartland Hospice; TruCare Seniors; and the Veteran's Administration of Northeast Indiana for the care and love provided to Neal over these years.

Neal is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Mary; proud sons, Brett (Sarah) Esselburn of Zionsville, Ind. and Kyle (Jessica) Esselburn of Huntertown, Ind.; cherished and adored grandchildren, Graham, Bennett, and Elliott of Zionsville, Ind. and Zavior, Teagan and Brogan of Huntertown, Ind.; dear brothers, Michael (Maureen) Esselburn of Auburn, Ind. and Thomas (Tae Sun) Esselburn of Griffin, Ga.; brothers-in-law, Robert (Anne) Koehl, Jr. of Canton, Mich., David (LuAnn) Koehl of Osceola, Ind., sisters-in-law, Beverly (Jack) Porter of Butler, Ind., Cindy Koehl of Fort Wayne, Teresa (Randy) Thorne of Leo, Ind., Ruth (Mike) Reinhold of Columbia City, Ind., and Dorothy (Dennis) Adkison of Fort Wayne, Ind.; as well as foster brother, Glenn (Kitty) Hawkins, of Mechanicsville, Va. Neal was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Don Koehl, Steve Koehl and Jim Koehl; and sisters-in-law, Pat Esselburn and Margaret Koehl.

Funeral Service is 11:00 am Thursday, Oct. 19 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne with calling one hour prior, Rev. Blaise Shields officiating. Friends and family will also be received at the funeral home on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box #91891, Washington, D.C. 20090 – 1891.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes | Ft. Wayne