Great-grandpa

Howard Meneely, age 88, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2014, at his residence. Howard was born the son of George and Bessie (Darling) Meneely on June 23, 1926, in Meadville, Missouri. He was a 1944 graduate of Meadville High School, Meadville, Missouri. Howard served in the United States Army from September 1944 until July of 1946 during World War II. He was united in marriage to Mary Alice Stewart on June 2, 1946, in Chillicothe, Missouri. She preceded him in death on June 15, 2005. Howard was a farmer and was also employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for 35 years. He was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association, a former board member for the Chula Rural Fire Department, a member of the Livingston County Farm Bureau and Livingston County Steam and Gas Association. Howard was also a former member and deacon of the Union Baptist Church, and a member of First Baptist Church, Chillicothe.

Survivors include two sons John Meneely and wife Marilyn of Chillicothe, Missouri, and David Meneely and wife Dorlene of Chillicothe, Missouri; one daughter Sarah Schad and husband Dennis of Barnett, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Tracy Presley and husband Chris of Maple Valley, Washington, Megan Kerr and husband Steve of Prairie Village, Kansas, Justin Meneely and wife Becky of Maryville, Missouri, Marissa Prewitt and husband Casey of Omaha, Nebraska, Amanda Stapp and husband Jason of Oak Grove, Missouri, John Schad of Dawn, Missouri and Lauren Schad of Ashland, Missouri; six great-grandchildren; one brother Lenos Meneely of Meadville, Missouri; and two sisters, Kathryn Gooch of Meadville, Missouri, and Betty Maxwell of Independence, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Meneely; grandson Andrew Meneely; brother Rex Meneely and wife Maxine; brothers-in-law Vaughn Gooch, Hubert Stewart, and Rex Maxwell; and sister-in-law Elinor Linville.

What I will remember:  Grandpa was a farmer and had a very traditional marriage- he did all the outside chores, Grandma did all the indoor housework.  She was an excellent cook.  All the grandkids loved the scotcharoos she made for every family gathering.  When she passed away from cancer nine years ago, suddenly Grandpa had to learn to do lots of things he'd never done before.  I admire any man who can cook and do his own laundry, and I REALLY love one who teaches himself how to make cookies for his grandkids.  Grandpa showed up with scotcharoos on the first holiday without Grandma...and every family gathering after that.