Kathy Irene Neal, formerly of Du Quoin
Kathy Irene Neal, nee Stanhouse, 71, of Columbia, Illinois, was born on July 3, 1949 to William Otto and Opal Irene Stanhouse in Du Quoin, Illinois. Heaven gained the most beautiful angel on May 4, 2021, when she died, surrounded by loved ones, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Kathy was one of a kind! Everyone who was blessed to know her, loved her. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mom, Mudder, Ma, sister and friend. Kathy had an extraordinary heart, putting everyone's needs before her own, even during her long battle with cancer. She was one "Tough Mudder!"
Kathy always had a positive attitude that spread like sunshine throughout her community. She was extremely proud of the company she co-founded and adored everyone surrounding her business.
Kathy was married to the love of her life for 52 years, after dating for only four short months. Their undying love and commitment for one another was an inspiration for their children and grandchildren. The campground was their happy place where they spent quality time making memories with family and friends. They had a life full of happiness, laughter, and many nights of clearing the dance floor.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Mike Neal; her adored furbaby Hetty; her beloved children, Michael (Renee) Neal, Elizabethe (Russ) Rader, and Laura (Mark) Oberkfell; her grandchildren, Dillon, Damion, Derek, Dominic and Devin Neal, Katelyn and Lucas Rader, and Declan and Otto Oberkfell; great-grandchildren, Emberlyn and Evan; her mother, Opal Stanhouse; brothers and sister, William (Cheryl) Stanhouse, Brenda Stanhouse (Jeff Hamel) and Mark (Jackie) Stanhouse; plus nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father, William O. Stanhouse.
Kathy was co-owner of Accent Title, and a member of C.R.O.W.N. and Delta Theta Tau.
As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, Illinois, and will go to the funeral service time at 1 p.m., which will be officiated by Cecil Dunning.
A gravesite service, immediately following the funeral, will be held at Palmier Cemetery in Columbia, Illinois. For the visitation, funeral and graveside service, masks are required and social distancing will be observed.