Lester C. Neal, “beloved father, grandfather, and brother”

MYRTLE, PA—Lester C. Neal, 87, of Myrtle, passed away in his home with his loving family by his side, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after a long illness.

Born on Tuesday, December 20, 1938, in Keeneyville, PA, he was a son of Harold M. and Lena May Rice Neal. On June 7, 1958 in Portville, NY, he married Caroline L. McNeil, who passed away on September 18, 2017, having celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Lester was the owner of Myrtle Leasing until his retirement due to ill health. After retiring from his own business, Lester was employed at Portville Truck in the shop. Prior to starting his own business, he worked at Faulkner’s Farm.

Lester enjoyed tinkering and was able to fix anything. Lester and his wife enjoyed eating out, especially at the former Dave’s Diner, Perkins, Red’s, and Trudy’s. He and Caroline very much enjoyed Labor Day weekend, celebrating at their son’s home. His greatest love was his family, especially his grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are four sons, Lester C. “Rusty” Neal, Jr. of Portville, NY, Jeffrey S. (Debbie) Neal of Portville, NY, Harold L. “Hal” (Gaylynn) Neal of Pittsburgh, and Joseph M. (Brenda) Neal of Shinglehouse; a daughter, Gloria J. (Jeff) Henderson of Shinglehouse; fourteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mason (Joyce) Neal of Elgin, IL and Elmer (Bonnie) Neal of Tioga Junction, PA; two sisters, Myrtilla Dougherty of Niagara Falls, NY and Patricia Kellar of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, Lester was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Dawn M. Neal; two brothers, James Neal and Sherman Neal; and a sister, Hazel Paul.

Family and friends may call from 11am to 12 noon on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where a celebration of Lester’s life will follow at 12 noon with Ronald Fitch, Elder of Central Hinsdale Jehovah’s Witnesses, officiating. Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park, Lafayette.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lester’s name may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.

Lester’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Lester, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.