Sept. 9, 1942 - March 7, 2013

ELKHART — Shirley Anne Neel, 70, of Elkhart, passed away at Center for Hospice Care of Elkhart at 1:50 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, after an extended illness.

She was born in Goshen on Sept. 9, 1942, to the late William A. and Freda L. (Bickel) Fisher. On Dec. 28, 1968, she married Paul E. Neel Sr. in Elkhart. He passed away in 2007.

Surviving are her son, Paul E. Jr. (Micki) Neel of Elkhart; sister Esther M. (James) Boyll of Elkhart; brother Kermit W. (Lynn) Fisher of Syracuse; and three grandchildren.

A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013, at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at California Road Missionary Church, 29765 C.R. 12 W., Elkhart. Pastor Bud Walterhouse will officiate. Burial will follow across the street in California Road Cemetery.

Shirley retired as a librarian in 2008 after serving nearly 40 years with Woodland Elementary School of Elkhart. She was an accomplished singer, a member of California Road Missionary Church and enjoyed spending time on her computer, where she accumulated many online friends from around the world.

Memorial donations may be given to Hospice Foundation, 4220 Edison Lakes Pkwy., Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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