Donald "Don" E. McNeal

Donald E. McNeal was taken from us too soon on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, after a brief illness. Born December 3, 1937, he grew up in Bloomville, Ohio, attended Bowling Green State University, and had been in Mansfield for the past 40 years.

Don led a life of passion and perfection. Early on, he founded color guards where his passion for music and perfection earned him championships and gave experiences for a whole generation of students to take with them throughout their lives. His Port Clinton Eaglettes escorted Miss American 1963, Jackie Mayer, to the White House in Washington, DC.

He then combined the success of starting new organizations with another passion: creating teams where his children and other young adults could compete with the best athletes in the country. He founded two of the largest and most enduring Ohio area baseball and soccer organizations where hundreds of young athletes developed sports skills and a competitive desire for both inside and outside the baseball diamond or soccer field. He earned the 1985 COABF Man of the Year award for his work on the Johnny Appleseed Baseball Club. Winning the 1989 14-year-old CABA World Championship was just one of his team's accomplishments.

As anyone who has witnessed Don's proliferation of 3x5 cards, labels, and dictation instruments could testify, perfection was not left to competitive sports, but spanned beyond.

While his family may claim the selfless promotion of his family, his teams, and his beliefs reached almost embarrassing levels, his courage opened doors. Whether he was selling for an occupation, soliciting support to create an organization, or getting a Director of an admired band on the phone, Don's ability to influence weaved throughout all aspects of his life.

Lastly, he will miss out and be missed on the turkey dinners with family not eaten, cruises not taken, the Hilton Head vacations not enjoyed, and games of catch with Angel that won't be played.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleeen Meister McNeal; six children, daughters, Cherie McMurray and Debbie (John) Nobles, and sons, Steve, Dave (Connie), Doug, and Scott (Jen); eleven grandchildren; and his faithful dog, Angel. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Huldah (Kline) McNeal.

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.

For those not able to attend, condolences may be shared with the family through All About the Paw Pet Rescue.