Feb 1, 2014

Avid Pittsburgh sports fan

Dorothy M. “Gram” Neville Neal, 87, of Houston, died Friday, January 31, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington, surrounded by her family.

She was born August 19, 1926, near Punxsutawney, a daughter of Avery and Lola McDonald Neville.

Mrs. Neal was a 1945 graduate of Dayton High School in Armstrong County. She worked for Celento’s Department Store and was a cook at Rocky’s Restaurant, followed by Shelly’s Pike Inn, until her retirement in 2008.

Mrs. Neal was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins and Steelers fan. She also enjoyed NASCAR and was a Dale Earnhardt fan. She enjoyed spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her friends at the Heritage House, who often called her “Doodles.”

On November 22, 1947, she married Wilbur J. Neal, who died in December 1979.

Surviving are a daughter, Vicky Lesjak (John “Bo” Sr.) of Houston; a son, William Neal (Judy) of Alamogordo, N.M.; six grandchildren, Melissa Neal Minerd (William) of Brownsville, Amy Lesjak Rosselli (Lou) of Powell, Ohio, Jennifer Neal Byrnes (Scott) of Alamogordo, Gary “Bubba” Neal Jr. (Debbie) of Newport, N.C., John Lesjak Jr. (Tiffany) of Houston and William Neal Jr. of Dallas, Texas; a sister, Ann Kunselman (George) of Hamilton; a brother, William Neville of Punxsutawney; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Deceased are a son, Gary Lee Neal; a daughter, Carol A. Neal; four sisters, Ruth Neville, Martha Pollick, Jesse Brothers and Luella Condron; and two brothers, Roy and Claude Neville.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., the time of service, Monday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. The Rev. Clarejean Haury will officiate. Additional visitation and services will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, in Deeley Funeral Home, 33 Hillcrest Drive, Punxsutawney, PA 15767, where services will begin at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Jim Condron officiating.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Donnell House, c/o Hospice of Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.