Neil Charles Doyle

Neil Charles Doyle, age 84, of Fairfield, passed away January 6, 2015 at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

Per Neil’s wishes, he has been cremated.

A memorial service will be held, 11:00 am, Saturday, April 18, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Joseph Phipps officiating.

Memorials may be made to The Lord’s Cupboard or First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield. Cards and memorials can be sent to: Pat Doyle, 503 Belaire Drive, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Neil Charles Doyle was born February 4, 1930 in Hibbing, Minnesota, the son of Walter and Vera Doyle. He married Barbara Ann Gaalaas June 29, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

He served in the Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. They moved to Fairfield in 1962 when he was employed by Grinnell Mutual Insurance Company. In 1969 he joined the Gamrath and Thoma Insurance Agency. He later became an owner and the agency was renamed Gamrath-Doyle and Associates. He retired in 1993. Neil was very active in the Fairfield community. He was a past president of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce and received the Citizen of the Year award in 1994. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church and was very active in helping with the maintenance of the church building; always available to help out when anything needed fixed. He was a founding member of The Lord’s Cupboard and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was an active member of the Lions Club and a recipient of the Warren Coleman Honorary Award as well as a Warren Jones Fellow. He was instrumental in helping MIU, now MUM, move to town and was often a liaison in community and college relations. He also served on the Fairfield Park & Recreation Board of Directors. Neil’s love of woodworking was his retirement “job”, creating many cherished pieces of furniture for family and friends. He also created flag boxes that he gave to families of veterans and wooden crosses that he gave to everyone, truly expressing his Christian faith. Neil loved to help people in whatever way he could. His devotion to the Lord’s Cupboard was demonstrated by the countless hours he spent there including the “bread runs” to Hy-Vee that he made sure were covered when he wasn’t available.

Neil is survived by his wife Barbara of 63 years and his children: Deborah (Michael) Schmidt of Glenwood, Iowa; Patrick (Deb) Doyle of Fairfield; Kevin (Deb Mapes) Doyle of Watertown, Massachusetts; Dennis (Christine) Doyle of Pella, Iowa and Peggy (Scott) Waters of Iowa City, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren; two sisters, Mavis Herendeen of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dorothy (Tom) Moore of Akron, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Larry Doyle.

Behner Funeral Home and Crematory in Fairfield is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at: behnerfh.com