Obituary of Vernon McArthur Neel

Vernon McArthur Neel, aged 78 of Bland, Va., passed away Wednesday July 1, 2020. Vernon was born on April 22, 1942, to the late Conley and Eula Brown Neel in Ceres, Va. Vernon was a United States Navy Veteran, having served his duty in Hawaii. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Doris Hounshell of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Mark Newberry of Pittsboro, NC; grandson Benjamin Nunn and his wife Mindy of Appomattox, Va; sister Grace Foglesong of Rural Retreat, Va.; 2 great grandsons, Walker and Justin Nunn; step daughters and son-in-laws, Kathy and Gary Roberts of Marion; Karen and Chet Umberger, of Wytheville; step son and daughter in law, Mike and Dana Hounshell of Marion, Va.; step granddaughter and her husband, Sara Umberger Cregger and Justin of Wytheville, Va.; step grandson, Ethan Hounshell of Marion, Va.; 2 step great grandsons, Jeb and Gatlin Cregger, and many nieces and nephews. Vernon was a brave man, having gone immediately from his home in Ceres as a young man to Hawaii to serve his country in the US Navy, not knowing how to swim or even seeing a body of water, prior. He worked midnight shift for 25 years at Klopman Mills in Dublin and then another 25 years at ABB in Bland, from where he retired. He was a talented woodworker, and an avid hunter. He immensely enjoyed being outdoors, having said many times that he should have been a mountain man. He was a collector of guns and knives and enjoyed trading them with friends and relatives. He was always friendly and welcoming but reserved and quiet. Funeral Services will be held at 1pm, Friday July 10, 2020, at Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., with Buddy Dillow officiating. A small graveside service will follow in the Red Oak Cemetery in Ceres, Va. The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm, Thursday July 9, 2020, at Grubb Funeral Home. The family will also receive visitors at the home of Karen Umberger at 4496 Stoney Fork Road in Wytheville, VA. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.