Mary Ruth Neal, 97, of Arkansas City, KS, passed away Friday, May 17, 2019, at the Alderbrook Village.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Russell McAlister will officiate. Burial will follow in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Mary was born March 17, 1922, to Orin and Elsie (Malone) Helms on a farm near Geuda Springs. Graduating from Geuda Springs High School in 1940, and Arkansas City Junior College in 1942. Mary taught for two years in one-room country schools in the Geuda Springs/South Haven areas.
On March 18, 1943, she married Leonard E. Neal in Arkansas City at the Methodist Church parsonage with Rev. Forrest Rohl officiating. Mary was employed at Ranney Davis Mercantile as a billing clerk in Arkansas City while Leonard served in the South Pacific during WWII. Upon his return, she was a homemaker and became a mother to two sons.
Mary and Leonard farmed in the Ashton and Geuda Springs Communities and were active in the South Haven and Arkansas City schools. Mary was a member of the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her son Kirby Neal and wife Linda of Arkansas City, KS; two granddaughters Shelly and Tracie; numerous great-grand children; and a sister Norma Minerd of Derby, KS.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leonard, a son Randy Kim Neal, two brothers Vern Helms and Clifford Helms; two sisters Loretta Jones and Mildred Ramsey.
A memorial has been established for the Mount Hope United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made through the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory.