Neal Landess

Neal Landess, age 91, of Stockport, IA, passed from this life into new life on Friday, June 26, 2009 at Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, IA.

Masonic Rights will be at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday July 1, 2009 with family visitation to follow at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday July 2, 2009 at the Stockport Christian Church with words of comfort by John Griffith. Burial will be at Spencer Cemetery, north of Stockport, IA.

Memorials may be made to Stockport Christian Church or to Spencer Cemetery. Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
6205 N.E. 126 th Ave.
Elkhart, IA 50073.

Neal was born June 9, 1918 at Stockport, IA to Stan and Blanche (Nixon) Landess. He married Julia Swartout on February 21, 1957 at the Stockport Christian Church. She died October 1, 1986.

Neal assumed the responsibility of his father, upon his death in 1933, in the operation of the Landess Dairy. He and his mother delivered milk in Stockport until they discontinued the operation of the Dairy in 1954.

Neal was a member of the Stockport Christian Church where he served as an elder and Sunday School superintendent for many years. He served on the Stockport and Van Buren School Boards for a total of three terms. Neal was a Van Buren Soil Commissioner for 12 years and was named outstanding Regional Soil Commissioner in 1983. He and his wife received the Progress Award in 1973, and Master Conservation Award in 1977. Neal served as trustee for Cedar Township and as a director and chairman of Spencer Cemetery. He was a charter member of the Senior Citizen Housing development as well as serving one term on the Stockport Town Council. Neal was a member of Workman Lodge Masons for 64 years, Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, and Lions Club, where he served as secretary for many years.

Survivors include one daughter, Judith Hall and husband Larry of Fairfield, IA, and one son, Don Swartout and wife Vickie of Elkhart, IA; six grandchildren: Todd Hall (Julia) of St. Louis, MO, Stephanie Bond (Dwight) of Byron, IL, Kimberly Hall of W. Des Moines, IA, Chad Hall (Annie) of Las Vegas, NV, Amy Andrews (Ryan) of Portland, OR, and Adam Swartout (Miriam) of Kalama, WA. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren and special friend, Marceline Watson.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.