In Memory
Jesse N. Neely
September 6, 1949 ~ May 25, 2024 (age 74)
Jesse Neely, 74, passed away after a sudden decline in health on May 25, 2024. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jacki (Hinchman) Neely, his parents, Orley and Geneva (McCoy) Neely, his older sister, Elaine (Neely) Anderson.
He graduated from Clay High School in 1967 and lettered in baseball and cross country and played basketball. His senior year he was captain of the cross-country team and given the sportsmanship award. However, his true passion in high school and college was baseball. Under Coach Reinebold’s leadership, Clay High School’s 1967 baseball team made it to the state semi-finals. That same year, Jess played on the Bendix Post 284 baseball team winning the American Legion Sectional Championship. On a baseball scholarship, he attended William Jewell College where in 1968 they were National Baseball Champions.
Sports continued to be his passion in life as he collected trophies in bowling, racquetball, and golf. He played in golf tournaments at some of the best courses in the United States and had multiple holes-in-one.
What he loved more than anything was his wife, Jacki, who was his high school sweetheart. They married for 48 years until her death in 2016. They have 2 daughters, Janice Neely Hurt (Dennis Marchlewicz) and Jill Neely (Brent Butler) and 4 grandchildren, Peyton and Alex Hurt and Harrison and Spencer Buehler. Jess is survived by his brother, Glen Neely (Doreen), whom he kept in contact with daily.
Jess worked as a State Farm Agent for over 40 years, retiring in 2017. In 2018 he suffered a stroke and life was never the same. He’ll always be remembered for his kind-heartedness and someone who focused on the positive. Those who knew Jess, liked him, as he was easy going and loved being surrounded by his friends. His best (and most) days were spent at Knollwood Country Club golfing with his buddies.
Services will be held June 2nd at Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel with visitation at 1:00pm and Celebration of Life at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Traditions Hospice of Mishawaka at 3555 Park Pl W #100, Mishawaka, IN 46545
05/29/2024 EJS
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