Richard “Dick” Dean McNeely, 76, rural Attica, passed away at 1:56 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in the Ascension St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital from complications of a stroke.
Dick was born April 19, 1945, at Lafayette, the son of the late Grant and Marie Elizabeth (Hays) McNeely. Dick grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1963. He later received a degree in liberal arts from Purdue University in 1974. He moved to rural Attica in 1986.
Dick was a vocational welding teacher at Fountain Central High School from 1979-1991. While at Fountain Central High School he also coached the wrestling program for several years. After his retirement from Fountain Central, Dick went on to teach welding at Vincennes University and later at Purdue University. After leaving the universities he taught welding at Wabash National in Lafayette until his final retirement in 2010.
Dick had attended the Newtown Community Church where he sang in the choir for 20 years. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue. He was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association. Dick was very creative and enjoyed designing metal sculptures for the Bicentennial Anniversary. They are located at the Harrison Bridge in West Lafayette and a mobile sculpture located at the Armstrong Building on the Purdue University campus. In his earlier years he enjoyed painting. He also enjoyed playing the banjo and harmonica at various occasions in the area.
On July 30, 1972, Dick married Rebecca “Becky” Ann Caldwell in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Dick leaves behind his wife of soon to be 50 years. He also leaves behind three children, Melissa (Phil) Matthews, Federal Way, Washington, Jessica (Andrew) Harvey, Lafayette, and Brian McNeely, Lynnwood, Washington; three grandchildren, Mercedes Reyes, Brandon (Brittany) Carnahan and Patrick (fiancée-Amber) Carnahan; great-granddaughter Lily May Carnahan; two brothers, his twin, Michael McNeely, Lafayette, and James McNeely, Camano Island, Washington; three sisters, Patricia (Richard) Sawyer, Alexandria, Virginia, Linda Pavol, Phoenix, Arizona, and Debbie (Ricky) Adams, Lafayette. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Donna McNeely.
Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 at Maus Funeral Home, Attica. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at the Attica-Williamsport Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with Gary Eason and Pastor Shawn Carafa officiating. Following the service a reception will be held at the West Mill Social Hall in Attica from 3-5 p.m. with sharing of memories by friends and family.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Natalie’s Second Chance No Kill Animal Shelter, 10 S. 16th St., Lafayette, IN 47905; or to the Attica-Williamsport Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Attica, IN 47918.
Condolences may be sent online to www.mausfuneralhome.com.
