Ruth Helen Neal, 87

July 21, 2011

Ruth Helen Neal, 87, DeLancey, formerly of Hamilton, died Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.

She was born Jan. 25, 1924, in New Paris, a daughter of the late Rev. Jesse and Minnie (Doverspike) Smith.

She was married to Leon Neal, who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Neal was a telephone operator at Punxsutawney Area Hospital and retired in 1984.

She was a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church in Hamilton.
Surviving relatives include two sons, Terry Kermes and wife Carol of Commodore and Gerald Neal and wife Wendy of Suffolk, Va.; two daughters, Karen Keenan and husband Frank of Hamilton and Barbara Ferguson of Shellsburg; a sister-in-law, Olive Smith of Sacramento, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Bruce Smith, Melvin Smith, Dean "Fat" Smith and Warren "Buss" Smith; and three sisters, Anna Cuppet, Gladys Custer and an infant sister; and a son-in-law, Charles Ferguson.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Richard L. Fait Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Young officiating.

Interment will be in Northpoint Cemetery, Northpoint.