Rev. John Neace
Rev. John Daniel Neace, 73, of Benton, passed away at 3:50 p.m., Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the VA Community Living Center of Marion, Illinois.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the First Church of God, 1200 Grand St., Benton, Ill., with the Rev. David Hall, the Rev. Wayne Absher and the Rev. Eric Livingston officiating.
Burial with Military Honors was in Meisenheimer-Mt. Olive Cemetery of Dongola.
Leffler Funeral Home of Benton was in charge of the services.
Rev. Neace was born on Jan. 25, 1950, in Murphysboro, Ill., the son of the Rev. Daniel Hobert Neace and Alice Elizabeth Reed Neace. He would graduate from Murphysboro High School with the Class of 1967.
He married the former Barbara Kay Gibson on July 27, 1969. She survives.
He would further his education and obtained his master’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
He served in the U.S. Army, from August of 1972 through September of 1993. Because he knew how to type, his family said the Army placed him in graves registration. He would retire as a sergeant.
Most importantly he served God as a minister with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).
He was the pastor of First Church of God of Benton, Ill., from July 1989 until his death on March 2, 2023.
Previously he pastored at the First Church of God of Shady Grove, Ky. (from 1976 to 1978); and First Church of God of Lovington, Ill. (from October 1979 to July 1989).
Rev. Neace was an elder with the Illinois State Ministries, he was a past secretary and treasurer with the Southern Illinois Church of God Campground Association, serving in that capacity for 22 years. He was an active member of the Benton Ministerial Alliance, serving in various positions, until his health would not allow him to serve.
Pastor Neace enjoyed reading the Bible and listening to “Classic Country” music. His family said he loved going to the library. He loved attending camp meetings, revival services, and gospel music concerts. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family, especially his wife Barbara and son Jonathan.
Surviving are his loving wife of 53 1/2 years, Barbara Kay Neace of Benton; his loving son, Jonathan Daniel Neace of Benton; his mother-in-law, Joan Gibson of Anna; four brothers, Hobert Neace and wife Phyllis of Murphysboro, Ill., Claude Neace and wife Norma of Fruitland, Mo., Andrew Neace of Jackson, Mo., and Donald Neace and wife Lisa of Port Coral, Fla.; a brother-in-law, Dewayne Gibson and wife Mary of Vienna; several nieces and nephews; and his church family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Daniel Hobert Neace and Alice Elizabeth Neace; a sister, Betty Ripley and husband Junior; a brother Robert Neace; father-in-law Floyd Gibson; a stillborn sister-in-law, Nancy Joan Gibson; and a brother-in-law, the Rev. Michael Gibson.
Memorials can be made to the family of Rev. John Daniel Neace and can be mailed to Leffler Funeral Home, 401 E. Main St., Benton, Ill. 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Rev. Neace, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.