Stephen Wade Neal

On Saturday, November 17, 2018, Steve Neal sprinted with joy through the gates of heaven.  He was surrounded by his loving and devoted family.

Steve was born on December 10, 1956, in Indianapolis to Wade and Janet Neal.  He spent his summers at his family cabin on Lake Charlevoix, learning to sail the Great Lakes on the family sailboat, the Janalin.  Steve graduated from Park Tudor School in Indianapolis and later went to the University of Arizona where he earned his Bachelor’s degree (Go ZONA!).

After college, Steve moved to California for work and developed a love for mountain biking.  Steve continued sailing on the Pacific Ocean, but still went back to Eveline Orchards on Lake Charlevoix every summer to visit family and friends.  Steve settled into a career in health care information systems while working at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for many years.  He moved to Petoskey in 1999 to be closer to family and in northern Michigan, his home away from home.  He was the Technology Director for Petoskey Public Schools for 16 years, and then retired to stay at home with his young children.  He was an amazing leader in the workplace, and was always open and willing to hear ideas that differed from his.  Steve invested in people, and made them feel important and heard. 

Steve had the uncanny ability to connect with people of all ages from all walks of life, and he used his life experiences to counsel and serve others.  He did ministry at the county jail, served on the Emmet County Planning Commission, the YMCA of Northern Michigan Board, Broadband boards related to Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and was a founding member of TOMMBA (Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association).

When Steve met his wife Meagan, each found a love in one another they hadn’t known existed.  Steve was a devoted and loving husband, making it his quest to serve Meagan and their children each and every day.  He lived for his family, and he was an example to all of them as to how to be gracious, forgiving, loving, faithful, hardworking, playful, and joyful.  Steve was so very proud of his wife and children.  He showed them how to sacrificially love and serve God and others, something they will strive to do in their own lives.  Steve served as a coach for his children’s sports teams and continued the family sailing legacy with his boat, the Anielia.  He had a love for all things outdoors, and could often be seen road or mountain biking around beautiful northern Michigan.

Steve became a Christian in his 20’s and was so filled with the Holy Spirit that he wanted to share it with whomever he could.  Steve taught Sunday School for nearly 20 years, and in recent years he and Meagan have hosted a weekly Bible Study for local teens at their home.  It was his goal to teach teens about God so that they would really “own” their faith.  The teens were so very important to Steve, and he loved investing his time mentoring them and counseling them as they navigate these developmental years.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Meagan, children Tyler (Jenni), Stephanie Averill (Derek), Jordan (Natalie), Cullen, Owen and Julia; siblings Susan, Linda Cichocky (Bob), George (Susie), Michael Kort (Laura), Lauren Kort, Emily Kort; father and mother-in-law John and Julia Kort; granddaughter Hannah; nieces Mary Adamson(Josh), Annie Smith (Greg), Rachel Neal and Beatrix Kort; Uncle Steve Stephenson (Linda), and many cousins.

Services for Steve include visitation at 3:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 PM Sunday, November 25, 2018, at Genesis Church in Petoskey (1124 Northmen Drive, Petoskey, Michigan).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

The Neal Family Education Fund

C/O Meagan Neal

982 Blackbird Rd.

Petoskey, MI  49770

Genesis Church

1124 Northmen Drive

Petoskey, MI 49770

TOMMBA

P.O. Box 112

Boyne City, MI 49712

Samaritan’s Purse

P.O. Box 3000

Boone, NC 28607

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