Helen M. Neal

Helen M. Neal, 96, of Patriot, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2012 at the Holzer Medical Center. She was born August 21, 1915 in Columbus, Ohio, daughter of the late William Clark and Lalla White Thornton. She was married to Alden H. Neal and he preceded her in death in 1980. Helen was a farmer and a homemaker and she loved to quilt. Surviving are her two sons, Richard (Joyce) Neal of Patriot, Ohio and Earl (Karen) Neal of Gallipolis, Ohio; five grandchildren, Debbie (Jim) Ehman, Teresa (Gene) Layton, Missy (Tom) Lambert, Cara (Jack) Bambenek, Ted (Lisa) Neal; fourteen great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and two nephews, Nolan (Wanda) Thornton and Donald Luman, both of Patriot. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Shawn Neal, one brother Ellis Thornton, and a niece, Sue Luman. Services will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at the Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Lamphier officiating. Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Patriot, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Ted Neal, Derrick Layton, Jamie Ehman, Cory Ehman, Colby Reese and Jeremy Thornton. Honorary pallbearers will be Nolan Thornton and Donald Luman. Cemetery: Mt. Zion Cemetery, Patriot, Ohio Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:00 a.m. Visitation: Willis Funeral Home, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 6-7:30 p.m. Service: Willis Funeral Home, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:30 p.m.