KATHERENE JAN NEIL

Katherene Jane Neil, age 88, a resident of Girard, Kansas, died Sunday, January 20, 2008, in the Girard Medical Center. She was born December 18, 1919, in Hepler, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph Rolland Gintzell and Pearl Evans Gintzell. She was raised by her paternal grandparents, Henry and Miverva Gintzell. She married Weston Leon Neil on April 1, 1942, in Nevada, Missouri. He preceded her in death on January 6, 1985. She worked for the Helper Post Office and for the Pittsburg Census Bureau.

She was a member of the Walnut Catholic Church. She was active in the Hepler Alumni Association, serving as President in 1984 and as Secretary beginning in 1985. She was also active in the Mercy Auxiliary, having received her 25 year pin, and was a charter member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Fort Scott. She loved animals and was a member of the S.E.K. Humane Society.

Katherene is survived by a brother in law, Robert Neil, Texas; friend Elaine Evans, Iola, KS; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Gintzell, and an infant sister.

Funeral services for Katherene Neil will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, officiated by Father Theissen.

Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Friends may gather at the funeral home for visitation from 9 a.m. Wednesday until service time.

Memorial contributions are suggested to either the Mercy Auxiliary or the V.F.W. Auxiliary, and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Words of sympathy may be emailed to the family at condolences@cheneywitt.com.