Birdine Neal, formerly of Mt. Vernon

Birdine Neal, 98, of Belvidere and formerly of Mt. Vernon died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday March 30, 2019, at Alden Debes Center in Rockford.

She was born March 1, 1921, in Jefferson County, the daughter of Harry O. and Ina, Fred, Hamilton.

Birdine was first married to Richard Keelen. She later married Harley Neal May 18, 1957. They lived for many years on their farm near Frisco. Harley died Aug. 19, 2005.

Mrs. Neal is survived by a son, Steve and wife Judy Keelen of Belvidere; grandchildren Mike McLaren of Rockford, Natalie Elam and husband Kit of Mesa, Ariz., and Nicholas Keelen of Chicago; and great-grandchildren Kassandra and Chase McLaren of Roscoe, and Lachlan and Isla Elam of Mesa, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley; her parents; her daughter Janet and husband Doug Vineyard; her brother Robert and wife Dorothy Hamilton; her sister Margaret and husband Lloyd Roberson; niece Marcella Fowler; and nephew Russell Roberson.

She was a member of Frisco Missionary Baptist Church for many years. After moving to Mt. Vernon, she joined the South Side Baptist Church as a member there until her death.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Morton Johnston Funeral home in Benton. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. The Rev. Eddie Paul Davis will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Frisco.

For more information or to send online condolences, visit mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.