Mr. Sam McNeely, 77

Mr. Sam McNeely, 77, of Hazlehurst, died Oct. 25 at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia following a brief illness. He was born March 6, 1948, in Danville, Ill., to the late Glenn Edward McNeely and Wanda Patricia Murphy McNeely. As a child, his family moved to Westfield, Ind. where he grew up and graduated from Westfield Washington High School in 1966. Mr. McNeely was a patriot. He was Sergeant 1st Class in the Air Force, serving four years with one tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his military service, he returned to Westfield, and later moved to Evansville where he lived until moving to Hazlehurst in 2020. He was an iron worker, truck driver and mechanic, and he could fix or repair almost anything. He was past Commander of Evansville, Ind., VFW Post #2953 and was a member of Evansville Masonic Lodge #64. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. He was devoted to all of his family, attending all family events, big or small.
He is survived by daughters Kim McNeely Norrington and Steve Carner of New Harmon, Ind., and Leaha Ferrari and husband Joel of North Port, Fla.; his devoted partner of 13 years Bonnie Eudaly of Hazlehurst; grandchildren Allie Norrington, Scout Norrington, Jordon Norrington, Jossalyn Ferrari and Brayden Ferrari; great-grandson Jamison; siblings Ed McNeely and wife Sue of Sheridan, Ind., Patsy Crain and husband Ken of Vidalia, Cindy Schooley and husband Jeff of Sheridan, Kenny McNeely and Sherri Glynn of Bradenton, Fla., and Lisa Butler of Vidalia; former wife Paula McNeely; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu flowers, the family encourages memorial donations to Tunnels to Towers by visiting their website at t2t.org.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge.