Claude Nealy
Edwardsville |
Claude “C.J.” Nealy, age 91, of Edwardsville, passed away at 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at his residence.
He was born August 30, 1927, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the son of the late Claude & Annie Jane (Wilkerson) Nealy. C.J. worked for and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 520 (Mitchell, IL) for over 60 years.
He married June Marie Kniser on December 18, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Edwardsville. She survives. C.J. is also survived by three children, all of Edwardsville: Linda Claudine Nealy; Lawrence (“Larry”) Joseph Nealy & wife Katie; & Leanne Jane Nealy & fiancé, Paul Swirck; two granddaughters: Molly Simms & fiancé Zac Minor of St. Louis, MO, and Betty Streets & family of Clinton, IA; and two siblings: sister Dorothy Lorusso & husband Victor of Glendora, CA, & brother Clyde Nealy of Pittsburg, PA.
He loved the game of baseball, whether it was playing or watching a game. C.J. was even good enough as a player that he had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.
There will be a private family graveside service at St. James Cemetery in Edwardsville. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Details for the memorial service will be in a later edition of the Edwardsville Intellegencer.
The family requests memorials be made to the Oak Grove, Louisiana Methodist Cemetery Fund in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and may be sent in care of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home at 304 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL.
Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home
