Neely

James E. Neely, 81, of Renfrew passed away at 7:22 a.m. Monday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.

He was born Sept. 12, 1930, in Butler to the late W. John Neely and Pearl Mae Warner Neely.

Mr. Neely was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he was a staff sergeant serving during the Korean War. While stationed in Alaska, he was an aircraft mechanic.

He was self-employed with his father, worked at Hoffman Auto Parts and retired from United Telephone.

Mr. Neely was a member of St. John's Reformed Church, where he was a member of the consistory. He was an active member of the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department over the past 63 years and was a Mason of Butler Lodge 272. He enjoyed traveling with his late wife, Norma Jean, spending time with his grandsons, and was a devoted volunteer fireman.

Mr. Neely is survived by one daughter, Donna S. Zang and her husband, Robert, of Evans City; two grandsons, Jason R. Zang and Garrett J. Zang, both of Evans City; one brother, Bill Neely and his wife, Mary Kay, of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Walker Neely, who he married June 16, 1955, and who passed away Nov. 26, 2010; one infant son, William Charles Neely; and one brother, Leroy J. Neely.

<B>NEELY</B> — Friends of James E. Neely, who passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, will be received from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St., Butler. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Reformed Church, 493 Evans City Road, Butler, with the Rev. Robert Peterson officiating.Officers and members of American Legion Post 778 Lyndora and VFW Post 249 will conduct military services following the committal service at Greenlawn Burial Estates. Interment will take place at Greenlawn Burial Estates.Memorial donations may be made to the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department, 121 Sparks Ave., Butler, PA 16001, to St. John's Reformed Church, 493 Evans City Road, Butler, PA 16001 or to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.