Russell Duane Neeley

Russell Duane Neeley, age 87, of Brookfield, MO; passed away Friday, March 24, 2023 at Pershing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield, MO. Duane, son of Russell and Bertha (Shaw) Neeley, was born October 4, 1935, Olive Street, Laclede, MO. He graduated from Laclede High School in May 1953. He received a Basketball Scholarship to Northeast Missouri Collage (now Truman University). His basketball highlight was making 40 points in one game at Laplata, MO. Duane married Margaret Singleton on August 12, 1956. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary August 12, 2016. They have lived in the Laclede area, on the same farm, all their married lives. They have raised Duroc Hogs and Hereford Cattle on the farm. Duane’s first years of teaching began at Laclede Public School as Athletic Coach and taught high school shop. The following year began teaching at Meadville R-4 School as shop instructor followed by many other teaching positions. One of his highlights was coaching a Championship Girls Basketball teams. He taught at Meadville R-4 for seventeen years. Duane and Margaret operated three businesses in Laclede. First, they and a partner operated R&R Grain Elevator. His father had a heart attack so they operated Neeley’s D=X Station until it was sold. Duane went back to teaching drafting and shop at Brookfield R-3 for eighteen years. They opened and Antique shop in Laclede after he retired from 36 years of teaching. Through the years, they have been active in the community. Duane was President of the Laclede Housing and saw to the completion of the present units. His Brookfield drafting class drew up the plans for the Lambert Community Building and Margaret served on the committee to raise the rest of the funds to build the Community Building. The building was constructed by a former Meadville student, Bill Wilburn and his crew. Duane is survived by his wife Margaret of the home, two sons, Dana Neeley and wife Sharon of Maitland, MO; and Darrell Neeley and wife DaLana of Brookfield, MO; daughter-in-law, Carla Neeley of Brookfield, MO; six grandchildren, Amanda Lee and husband Jason of Chillicothe, MO; Nathan Neeley and Kelly of Jamesport, MO; Russell Neeley of St. Joseph, MO; Kristen Neeley of Columbia, MO; Jennifer (Neeley) Harezlak of Laclede, MO; and Matthew Neeley of Wake Forest, NC; seven great-grandchildren, and several other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Randy Neeley. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm. Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO: with Pastor David Blakely officiating. Burial will be at Parklawn Memorial Garden Cemetery at a later time. Visitation will be held at Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO; on Thursday, March 30, 2023, with family receiving friends from 1:00 pm. until the time of the service at 2:00 pm. Services are under the direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Memorials have been suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or Laclede United Methodist Church and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home, 216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made at www.rhodesfh.com

Russell Duane Neeley

October 4, 1935 - March 24, 2023