James Weskett Neal

James Weskett Neal, 83, of Carthage, Indiana, passed peacefully from this life into his eternal reward on May 8, 2023, and his faith has been made sight.

Born June 1, 1939, in Shelbyville, Indiana, he was the son of Ben Neal and Evelyne (Parker) Neal, and he lived in Rush County for his entire life.

Jim was a 1957 graduate of Carthage High School. He attended Purdue University where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. He served in the US Army from 1962 to 1964, and married Judy, the love of his life, on September 29, 1962, using a 3 day pass immediately prior to being stationed in Frankfort, Germany. He worked at Perfect Circle in Rushville for many years and eventually retired from Olin Brass in 1999. He was a member of the Carthage Community Church, Carthage Lions Club, and a previous member of the Carthage Library Board. His dedication to the community was evident as he served in various roles teaching Sunday School, participating in Fall Festivals, and attending and serving in many local events.

Jim enjoyed music, especially gospel, bluegrass and Celtic folk music. In the early days of their marriage, he and Judy would go square dancing in Rushville on Saturday night. He was also a member of the Raintree Barbershop singing group for many years, and he participated in several church and community cantatas. Literature was the other art that Jim had a passion for, and it was developed at an early age while stuck indoors one summer with rheumatic fever. His schoolmate brought him books from the Henry Henly Library in Carthage, where he was able to find some boyhood adventure through those stories. He remained an avid reader his entire life, enjoying a wide range of books from historical non-fiction to thriller spy novels and even humorous short stories. Jim especially liked to read in the kitchen -- In the morning he would read the paper, in the evening he would continue with whatever book he was working on. He had a particular enjoyment for Patrick McManus’s works, often reading them aloud to the family after supper, chuckling through his favorite chapters. Another hobby Jim was passionate about was traveling with his family, seeking to help them experience and learn about the world together in a first hand method while creating memories that would last a lifetime. Jim was able to travel with Judy to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and to his favorite, the Holy Land, where he was baptized in the Jordan River. He loved taking his two girls and eventually all four of his grandchildren on numerous camping trips to locations all over the continental US. Later in his retirement years, he and Judy spent many winters as snowbirds in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where they made long lasting traditions and friendships. Despite this constant pursuit of travel adventure, most of all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, sitting around the kitchen table or on the front porch, and enjoying the view and fresh air of the family farm.

Cherishing his memory until they meet again are his wife of 60 years, Judith (Batson) Neal; daughters Mary (John) Greenwalt, Susan (Kelly) Hadlich; grandchildren Cameron Brummett, Caleb (Kaylee) Brummett, Kylie Hadlich (Jason McGrogan), Katelyn Hadlich (Michael DeBruyne); great grandchildren Eli Brummett, Micah Brummett; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Lucile Marie Long and Barbara Jean Readle, and a nephew, Greg Long.

The family wishes to thank Suburban Hospice and Flat Rock River Lodge for their tender loving care in recent months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Carthage Community Church, PO Box 383, Carthage, IN 46115 or the Henry Henly Library, PO Box 35, Carthage, IN 46115

Services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service Knightstown Chapel with Pastor David Oakes officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Carthage. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Friday. Condolences and memories of Jim may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .