Obituary of Grace Neel

Grace Esther West Neel was born on the West Family Farm on June 27, 1920, daughter of the late John H. and Maude Clark West. Grace was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend. She was a member of Goshen Baptist Church since her baptism on August 14, 1934. She served Goshen Baptist in many capacities. She was elected treasurer in March 1957, an office which she held for 36 years. She taught kindergarten through 2nd grade Sunday School classes for 38 years as well as Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed singing with the choir for many years. She typed and printed the church bulletin for 55 years from 1956 until 2011. She served many years as a deaconess and then was an honorary deaconess for life. She was very active with the church prayer chain for many years. She was honored by the church in October 1992 on "Grace Neel Day." Her service was again recognized by Goshen Baptist Church on her 90th birthday, June 27, 2010, at which time the Grace West Neel Library was dedicated in her honor. She was active in the community, serving many years on the election board, Mount Calvary Cemetery Memorial Committee and Clinton District Fire Department activities. She and Howard enjoyed gardening and distributing the produce to their friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert Howard Neel, in May 2007. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Sue Snyder and her husband John of Apollo, PA and Katherine Jean Casteel and her husband Gary of Morgantown; three grandchildren, Pamela Casteel Ohler and husband Donnie of Orlando, FL, Casey Casteel and wife Becky of Morgantown, and Mark W. Snyder of Bolivar, Ohio. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by four brothers, J.T. West, Bill West, Jim West, and Bob West and two sisters, Rosellen W. Kinkaid and Ruth W. Timpano. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elise Snyder: a sister-in-law, Beulah West: sister-in-law, JoAnn West; brother-in-law, Kenneth Kinkaid; brother-in-law, Orlando Timpano; sister-in-law, Phyllis Stewart; and brother-in-law, Grant L. Stewart. She is additionally survived by a brother-in-law, Charles Neel of Morgantown; sister-in-law, Evelyn Neel of Fairmont; two step brothers-in-law, Franklin Neel and wife, Shirley of Fairmont and John Neel and wife Linda of Fairmont; sister-in-law, Jean West Robertson and several nieces and nephews. Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown on Saturday, July 6, 2013 from 10 am until the time of the service at 12 Noon with Pastor Dan Meadows officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Goshen Baptist Church, 1070 Goshen Rd., Morgantown, WV 26508. Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.