Obituaries

Clyde Kennith “Butch” Neal, 69

April 29, 2016

Clyde Kennith “Butch” Neal passed away on Friday, April 29, 2016 after a brief illness.

Clyde was born on November 2nd—his father’s birthday—in 1946 in the small town of Higginsville, Missouri, where he lived until joining the United States Coast Guard in 1963. He served as Engineman Second Class until 1967. An expert storyteller, Clyde often regaled his listeners with wild tales from his Coast Guard days, on which he looked back fondly.

Clyde met the love of his life, Margaret (Alban), in December of 1966. The two were married on May 12, 1968 and leaned on each other through thick and thin for almost 48 years.

Clyde worked at Trojan Yacht in Lancaster before beginning college at Millersville University, where he worked as the equipment manager for the Men’s Athletic department. Ironically, he was known for his hatred of sports, often citing that “the only balls that are worth a damn are ball bearings.”

A 1974 graduate of the Millersville University Industrial Arts program, Clyde was a master craftsman. He studied under well-known craftsmen like Professors Eshelman and Kaufman during his time at Millersville, and he went on to teach woodworking and electronics at Manheim Township High School for 27 years before retiring in 2001. Over the fifteen years since his retirement, Clyde encountered former students everywhere he went, some of whom became close friends. He truly was a legend in his time.

Clyde spent most of his time helping friends, telling stories, constructing and creating, building first-rate fires to keep his family warm, and fixing anything that broke. Clyde was a problem solver, an historian, and an expert at Jeopardy!. He was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Clyde is survived by his wife, Margaret—the Stanley to his Ollie—and his three daughters, Jennifer, wife of Jonathan Frank (Millersville, PA), Pamela, wife of Parker Lindstrom (Ephrata, PA) and Colleen, wife of David Rothgeb (Cincinnati, OH), as well as his four grandchildren, Selah, Silas, Hazel, and Vera.

He will be missed more than words can say.

Friends will be received from 5-7PM with a funeral service to follow at 7PM on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 N. George St, Millersville, PA 17551. Interment will take place at 10AM on Thursday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with full military honors. Those who wish to attend please meet at Snyder’s in Millersville by 8:30AM to leave with the procession. Please omit flowers.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

May 06, 2016

To Coleen, David and the Neal family.  So sorry to hear of your loss.  You are in our prayers.  Pam and Ron Rothgeb

May 04, 2016

Peg and family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  May your memories offer warmth and comfort in those quiet moments.  Blessings, Tonianne Bertel

May 03, 2016

My uncle “Butch” or “Neal” as he was know to many of his close friends will always be remembered for being a happy, smiling man with a huge heart. It pains me to hear of his passing. He always treated me as if I were his own son and he and my father, Bill Neal were very close. 
Peggy, Jennifer, Pam and Colleen, I wish I could be there to celebrate his life with you. Remeber he would have wanteed us to laugh, not weep for him. Hugs to all of you at this dificult time, but keep your thoughts light. I love you all, and hope to see you again soon.
Earl Neal

May 03, 2016

Peg, Jennifer, Pamela, Colleen:  Clyde’s life has touched so many people in so many enriching ways –  his humility, honesty, and humanity added to the pleasurable experiences in our lives.  He spoke of his family in the most loving terms.  May you keep those memories of “Life with Clyde” close to your hearts and minds. We are all blessed for having had his friendship. 

May 03, 2016

Peg,
i am so sorry to hear of your loss.  I feel I am a better person for having been able to call Clyde my friend.  As long as we remember someone, they are never really gone.  I have such great memories, and I will hold on to them.
My deepest condolences,
Larry Folly

May 03, 2016

Peg and Family, so very sorry to read about “Neal” in the paper today.  I didn’t know his name wasn’t Neal!!!  I always remember him with a BIG smile.   Linda (Sheets) Kleintop (Cathy Hammer’s sister). 

May 03, 2016

May 3, 2016
Dear Peg and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you and know he keeps you in his embrace.
Teri Bright

May 03, 2016

So sorry to hear of this sad  news. Butch was a great friend and will be missed by many. I so enjoyed the last visit we had in Higginsville, MO many years ago.  My condolences to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Deborah Tieman
 

May 03, 2016

So long, uncle Butch.  I wish that I had known you better.

May 03, 2016

Peg & family:
You & your family are in my  thoughts & prayers .
Deborah Damon

May 02, 2016

Peggy and girls
my heart goes out to all of you.  You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time….
god bless
lots of hugs and prayers
George Crampton 

May 02, 2016

Very sad to learn of my uncle’s passing. Although we hadn’t seen Butch in several years, I have many fond memories of his storytelling during his visits back to Higginsville. 
Even though she can’t  say it herself, my mother (June) is truly saddened by the loss of her brother and sends her love and condolences  to the entire  family.
Thanks for all the memories and rest in peace.
Quentin  and Laura Henley
June Henley 

May 02, 2016

So sorry to hear about your loss.  Jerry Herr and I just visited with Clyde a few weeks ago and fired his cannon with him.  him.  Clyde had been a great friend since we first met when he started teaching at MT.  After retirement he was my go-to guy when I needed help with my mower and in return I would make pads for him so his grandkids could draw on them.  If Clyde couldn’t fix it, no one could.  Will miss all the stories he would share with us over the years and still shared with me when I would stop to visit from time to time.  The old shop teachers from MT, who would still get together from time to time, are going to miss him.  Carol and I send our deepest sympathy and hope you find comfort and peace in your life in the days to come.  You can be assured that Clyde will find plenty of things to fix and stories to tell in Heaven.   Larry Woods  

May 02, 2016

Sincerest condolences to all of you. May the great memories of the life you shared together be cherished in you hearts forever. Love and prayers.
Pat Miller
 

May 02, 2016

My deepest sympathy to all of Butch’s family.  Butch was a grade ahead of me in school.  I remember him well and was so sorry to
 hear of his passing.        Cheryl Souder Kelly                                                                                                                                                                    

May 02, 2016

Colleen and family, I am so very sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.  May you find peace in the love of one another and comfort in the knowledge that his illness was brief.  –Kate Cilley

May 02, 2016

Mr Neal was one of those teachers in school that stuck out. I still remember building the box we made in that class. Thank you for trying to make a difference in our lives back then as students; its been years I know so please rest easy and soar like an eagle 
 
Andrew Reisinger

May 02, 2016

Jenn, I just saw this and wanted to convey sincere condolences to you and your family and friends.  The world is a bit different today isn’t it, and I will pray that God will somehow fill a bit of the void left from your father’s passing …
Sincerely,
Steve Brubaker

May 02, 2016

Butch was one of my best friends growing up in Higginsville,we were lways together until he went into the Guard and I joined the United States Navy I only saw him once after that He will be missed prayers for all his family   Joe Butler

May 02, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  God Bless you and help you.  Sincerely, Helen H. Shenk

May 01, 2016

Bob and I graduated from high school with Clyde and we always enjoyed seeing him at our reunions each year. Our deepest sympathy to Margaret and his family. Bob and Karen Rinne

May 01, 2016

Butch, you have been a good friend for many many years.  I will miss our long phone conversations and all your stories.  You are truly “one in a million”  RIP, we love you!
Vicki and Bob Thompson

May 01, 2016

Clyde has been my best friend for 42 years.  He will be my BFF.  Even though we have been miles apart for 18 yrs, we talked at least once a week about everything under the sun.  I can’t say much more than has already been said here.  Carol and I will be there Wednesday to say goodbye.  Dave and Carol Gutzwiller  Jacksonville FL

May 01, 2016

So sorry to hear about Great- Uncle passing. I’m the daughter of Kenny Neal, his nephew. Prayers for your family! 

May 01, 2016

 I am so very sorry to all of you for your loss. My sincerest condolences are with each of you during this difficult time. May the memories you share bring comfort and peace. Much love – June Cluck

Visitation
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
441 North George Street
Millersville, PA 17551
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
441 North George Street
Millersville, PA 17551
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info