Robert L Neal

Born June 18, 1940 in Peoria to Harry and Elinor (Harms) Neal, he married Patricia “Pat” McBride on April 4, 1959 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Kelly (Melanie) Neal of Germantown Hills and Eric (Carol) Neal of Metamora; two daughters, Charity (Jim) Smith of Brevard, North Carolina and Christy (Scott) Habel of Pekin; ten grandchildren, Ryan Neal, Jessica (Mike) Baughman, Myranda (Dayton) Driskell, Kirsten Forester, Sarah (Chad) Keller, Kyle Schierer, Maria (Chris) Ratliff, Christopher (Cathy) Neal, Johnathan Neal and Zack Clarkson; ten great-grandchildren and one sister, Kathleen (Clint) Moore of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob owned and operated Neal Auto Parts in Peoria from 1962 to 2002. Bob was a past president of the Automotive Recyclers Association.

After he retired, Pat and Bob moved to Punta Gorda, Florida, where they lived for 13 years. Bob enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing and traveling. He also enjoyed woodworking. While in Florida, he was member of the Knights of Columbus and also volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul.

Spending time with family meant a lot to him.

He was a member of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills.

His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills. Father Gregory Jozefiak will be the celebrant. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and also from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral Mass. Inurnment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Metamora.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to the nurses and volunteers of OSF Hospice, especially Michelle Harper, for taking such great care of Bob.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637 or to OSF Home Health & Hospice, 2265 West Altorfer Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61615.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com