- Date Of Birth: March 24, 1931
- Date Of Death: February 9, 2019
- State: Illinois
Ida M. “Jide” Neally, 87, of Jacksonville, departed to her Heavenly home on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
She was born March 24, 1931, in Fairmount, the daughter of Carl and Irene Nichols Stevens. She married Cleo E. Neally on Dec. 2, 1950, in Fairmount, and he preceded her in death on May 16, 2009.
She is survived by two sons and one daughter, Ron (Candee) Dukes of Decatur, David (Kathleen) Neally of Brentwood, TN, and Linda (deceased husband, Odean) Newman of Jacksonville; thirteen grandchildren, Damon (Christian) Dukes, Michelle (Carl) Wheeler, DeAnne (Tony) Finley, Devan Neally, Danica (deceased husband, Wesley) Rexroat, Jessica (Matt) Bullard, Heather Evans (companion, John Hopper), Joshua (Sarah) Newman, Roger (Tonya) Newell, Aaron (Lisa) Newell, Carolyn (Dan) Kerker, Kaitlin (Robert) Moser, and Jake Forczek; thirty-one great grandchildren; and close friend and sister-in-law, Dorothy Mowrer. She was preceded in death by one son, Ed “Stump” Neally; and two brothers, and one sister, Paul (Phyllis) Stevens, Mary (Ronald) West, and Don (surviving wife, Ann) Stevens.
Mrs. Neally and her husband enjoyed collecting fiesta and railroad memorabilia. She was a wonderful cook and loved sharing her homemade candy and treats with family and friends. Her job title was family director—in charge of monitoring, consulting and quietly sharing her wisdom on family activities insuring maximum return on happiness. Her life was devoted to loving and caring for her family. Her granddaughter’s description of her inspirational grandmother was that of a strong woman, sweet and sassy in just the right amounts. Our hearts are heavy and we will miss her dearly.
