With her body broken and failing, Marlene “Sue” Neeley, breathed her last earthly breathe July 9th at 10:15 a.m. at her home in rural Wabash County. Sue was born January 2nd, 1940 to Glen C. and Mary E. (Bonewitz) Smithson.
She married Robert Neeley in Alexandria, Indiana on September 1, 1956; he died December 3, 1997. She retired from Wabash Magnetics after 37 years. Sue loved Jesus, her family and friends, and all who she interacted with encountered a smile and if you were lucky a sassy joke. She loved attending church, worship was her favorite. She enjoyed fishing, long drives, birdwatching, reading, puzzles, and socializing on the phone with friends and family. After retiring she took up walking, she carefully tallied her steps and she was proud to have walked enough miles she could have reached California. She could out eat most when it came to sweets! She became candy grandma to her great grandchildren because she always had candy for them. She was quick to join in on fun shenanigans, her laughter and joy were contagious.
As she joyfully celebrates she leaves behind her long time best friend and companion Russ Small of Wabash. Her daughters Bobbi (Gary) Gaylourd and Rita Lawrence, both of Wabash, her grandchildren Winter (Jesse) Lawson of Wabash, Leigh-Ann (Jake) Young of Sweetser, Indiana, Shane (Vanessa) Lawrence of Broussard, Louisiana, and Eric Lawrence of Seattle, Washington, and great grandchildren Brandon Lawson, Rachel Lawson, Dominick Lawrence, Kielei Lawrence, Lucas Gaylourd-Drown, Seeley Gaylourd-Drown. Sisters Becky Stevens and Marci Johnson, both of Marion, Indiana. And best friend Sondra Martin.
She was also preceded in death by, her parents, sisters Ruth Ann Hiles, Lorraine Brewer, and Bonnie Musgrove, brothers William Smithson, Frank Smithson, Bob Smithson, and Jimmi Smithson and grandson Daniel Gaylourd.
Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
The memorial guest book for Sue may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
