David Neely

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David Craig Neely, 80, of Lincoln, NE passed away May 28, 2025. Born December 15, 1944, in Tilden, NE to David and Nadine (Lewis) Neely. David went to Tilden Public Schools, and graduated from Tilden High School in 1963.

During the Vietnam War, David served as an M.P. in the U.S Army. He was stationed in Germany.

After graduating from Kearney State College with a Bachelor’s in Science, David pursued a career in law enforcement. Finishing with the Nebraska State Patrol.

Born and raised in Nebraska, David was an avid Cornhusker Football fan. He enjoyed talking football with everyone.

David also enjoyed going to basketball games with his close friend Keith Sintek. David had a true passion for reading. He built a library of over 400 books. David’s favorite books to read revolved around WWII history. Fishing at Holmes Lake brought David much enjoyment, and allowed him to chat folks up about the fish being caught. David and his wife Jane shared a love of bird watching, and enjoyed talking with friends and family about their feathered friends.

Family members include his daughter Michelle Neely; sister Deanna Neely; brother Mark Neely; niece Jordan (Brady) Starkel; great niece and nephew Bo and Nora Starkel. Preceded in death by his parents and wife Jane.

Funeral service: 10:00 am Tuesday, June 3, 2025, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd. Burial in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation with family present from 5-7 pm Monday, June 2, 2025, at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.

Memorials to Lincoln Public Library or the Nebraska Historical Society.

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June2

Visitation

5:00 pm-7:00 pm CST

Roper & Sons South Chapel

3950 Hohensee Drive (40th & Yankee Hill)
Lincoln, NE 68516

(402) 261-5907

June3

Funeral Service

10:00 am CST

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

8550 Pioneers Blvd

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June 2, 2025

Pete and I will always remember Dave as a strong minded yet very funny guy. We always enjoyed visiting him. He always had fun stories of himself and Mom. I remember when the 4 of us would go to Nebraska City for the apple jack festival. We enjoyed the old time cabin we would visit that featured all the civil war history. He was a very good tour guide – explaining everything. It was especially interesting when he would explain the process of the battle plans. You could tell he enjoyed sharing his knowledge. One of Dave’s special memories he had was a short, simple memory, but he still enjoyed telling it as one of his fun, joyful moments: He said he remembered when mom would be getting her hair ready for the day – which was always quite the process – Mom was blessed with very full hair – He would just stand and watch her. She would turn to him and say “what are you doing?” And he would say “Just enjoying watching the process”. We all understood it was quite the daily process. In the same way I think we all have our own process of dealing with the death of our loved ones. Of course there is much sadness. And some people take longer than others being in this sad time. I like to do my best at mixing as much joy into the process as I can. We as Christians know where he is. I imagine after Jesus welcomed him to heaven, the first person he saw was Mom. And then so many other family and friends. He is definitely surrounded by love and joy now. As much as we will miss him, we will see him again. There is so much on this earth that God has given us as learning experiences. I heard someone once compare life to a whale. A whale can dive very deep into the ocean. But he has to come up for air eventually. It is good to remember our loved ones. But in our grief I like to find joy. Come up for air and let myself smile and appreciate so much that God has given us. And live this life as fully as God has intended. So I pray that as many tears we have, that they are mixed with smiles, and then more fully turn to Joy.

– Jackie and Pete Castater

June 2, 2025

Condolences to the Neely family and Dave’s many friends. My most recent memory with Dave was walking with him and Michelle on a beautiful fall day in the sunken gardens in Lincoln. I had lost my own dad the year before and Dave said he would be my 2nd dad. That was very special to me and a moment I’ll never forget. Until we meet again Dave. You will be missed!