Gracie D. Neal

Gracie D. Neal, 87, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 8:02 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Shelbyville Manor.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Blyman Addition of Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Tina Miller officiating. Memorials may be given to the Shelbyville Moose Lodge #1294 and mailed to Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

Gracie was born on October 11, 1937, in Petersburg, TN, the daughter of Calvin and Maddie (Mitchel) Reeves. She married Oakley Eugene “Gene” Neal on August 6, 1955, and they were blessed with two children, Patricia and Don. Gracie and her husband Gene owned and operated Neal’s Body Shop in Shelbyville. Gene passed away on April 23, 1997, and Gracie and her son Don, continued the family business. Gracie was also a bus driver for Shelbyville Community Unit School District #4 for many years. She was an active member of the First Christian Church and Moose Lodge #1294 both of Shelbyville. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and watching the birds from her window. Gracie was tough as nails, but soft as butter.

Gracie is survived by her best friend, Loretta Weber of Shelbyville, IL, and the Weber family; chosen family, Dalton, Mindy, Haylie, Makayla and Bentley Goodwin and Patrick Doty all of Shelbyville, IL; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who all loved her dearly. She will be dearly missed by her good boy, “Bo”.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene; daughter, Patricia Neal; son, Don Neal; 13 brothers and sisters; and one sibling in infancy.