- Date Of Birth: April 20, 1922
- Date Of Death: January 15, 2022
- State: Michigan
Neal passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born in Kalamazoo April 20, 1922, to the late David and Ethel (Harris) Cronkite. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1940. Neal was a pilot in squadron VPB-19 in the US Navy during World War II. Upon his return from service he met the love of his life, Lucille Longdon.
Neal and Lucille were united in marriage at the Kalamazoo Civic Theater on May 3, 1947. They were blessed to spend 70 anniversaries together before her death in 2017. Neal retired from James River Corp. in 1983 after 43 years of service. Neal is survived by his five children: David (Karen) Cronkite of Tinley Park, IL, Steven (Deb) Cronkite of Kalamazoo, Rick (Sharon Pontius) Cronkite of Kalamazoo, Rodney (Wendy Cronkite-Ross) Cronkite of Burlington, WI, and Christie Cronkite-Sherson, of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren: Keri (Kevin) Bottom of Tinley Park, IL, Kelli (Dan) Rusnak of Mokena, IL, Neal (Jennifer) Cronkite of Lansing, MI, Greg (Kelley) Cronkite of Portage, MI, Tyler (Julia) Cronkite of Berthoud, CO, Cameron Cronkite of Oaxaca, Mexico and Sierra Cronkite of Milwaukee, WI; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Rylan, Karly and Gavin Bottom, Grayden, Roan, Evie and Jude Rusnak, Ian and Jonah Cronkite, Charlie and Andrew Cronkite, and Fielder and Clemens Cronkite.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Neal was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret DeYoung and great-grandson, Calder Cronkite. A special thanks to the staff at Rose Arbor for the thoughtful and loving care provided to Neal and his family. Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place.
