Joseph E. Neil, Sr., 80, of Manning, Iowa, died February 10, 2024, of complications from a fall at his home in November.

Joe was born August 28, 1943, in Carroll, Iowa, the fourth of five children born to George and Agnes (Busche) Neil. He attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School and Kuemper Catholic High School.

In 1961, Joe joined the United States Navy and was a Vietnam-era Veteran.

For many years, he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation and was a member of the Manning Ambulance crew. He had Neil's Shoe repair in Manning for many years and more recently, Joe enjoyed serving his community as a bus driver for the IKM School District. Community service was important to Joe and he volunteered as a Boy Scout Leader, was involved in the Knights of Columbus, and was a proud member of the Northwest Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club, and the American Legion.

Joe is survived by his four children: Cynthia, Christopher (Jen), David (Shanda Fulcher), and Joseph, Jr. (Caroline), 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His siblings: John (Betty), Peg Schulte, and George (Joni) also survive him. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends are left to cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Adam, his brother James, sister-in-law Judy Neil, brother-in-law Gerald Schulte, and his parents.