John Lyle Neal, better know as Zeke passed away peacefully on May 6, 2013 with his family by his side after a lengthy illness. Lyle was born on August 4, 1940 in Regina, SK, the son of William and Mabel (nee Ferhenbach) Neal. Lyle was raised on the family farm near Saltcoats and learned the farm ways alongside his Dad and his Uncle. When Lyle was about 15, he left the farm along with some friends from home and headed North to work at a logging camp. Lyle's job there was driving a team of horses, hauling the logs out of the bush and stock piling them, then later again with the horses he helped turn those logs into lumber. He then headed to the oil rigs in southern Saskatchewan which eventually turned out to be a long and successful career when he purchased his first water truck. It was in Estevan where he met his long time love, Lenore Freundl and where they were married on January 13, 1968. Lyle and Lenore were blessed with two sons, Darcy and Brad. In 1977, Lyle and Lenore, with their boys moved back to Saltcoats to the farm to take over his Dad's part in Neal Brothers' cattle and grain farm. Although this is how he was raised his true calling was in "the patch". While still continuing to farm he again started out with buying one water truck and soon built his business up to something he was very proud of, where his hard work and dedication had paid off. He also enjoyed buying, selling and working Caterpillar tractors, backhoes, etc. In his heart, Lyle was really was just a boy who liked to play in the dirt. In 2006, when his health started to fail, Lyle retired from farming and had his farm auction sale. It was in 2009 that Lyle and Lenore moved into Yorkton. Lyle worked hard but also played hard. He enjoyed attending sporting events that the boys participated in and later loved to watch his grandchildren in their various activities. He loved hunting and looked forward to the trips up North to the hunting cabin in the fall. He was an avid fisherman, and loved to spend time at their trailer at Lake of the Prairies. Lyle and Lenore spent many weekends there with their good friends, fishing, visiting, enjoying a few stiff shots of whiskey and of course listening to the Saturday Night Get-Together. It was during this Saturday Night Get-together that Papa taught his granddaughters to dance! Many summers also included another favourite, Rocky Lake which is where Papa and Shawn spent a lot of time fishing and making toothpicks with an axe and a log Safety first!!!! Unfortunately Lyle's illness had made it impossible for him to be cared for at home and although it was a very hard decision for Lenore to make, Lyle was moved into the Yorkton & District Care Home. Lyle and Lenore were able to spend many hours together as she would faithfully spend her days with him. Lyle loved to come out to the farm for wiener roasts and enjoyed the "walks" he and Brad would take down the lane. When he still could, Lyle loved to go for rides out to the farm just to check up on things and maybe see a familiar face. Lyle was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mabel Neal and his Father and Mother in law, Earl and Mary Freundl. Lyle leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 45 years Lenore; his son, Darcy, his wife Lisa and their son, Coleten; also his son, Brad, his wife Lauri and their children, Shawn, Karlyn and Rebecca along with many long time friends and family. "Lyle was an honest, hardworking man and a good neighbour" A Grave Side Memorial Service was held in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery on Thursday, May 9, 2013 with Thom Carnahan officiating. Soloist, Linda Datema, shared one selection, "Amazing Grace". All those who shared in Lyle's life were invited to serve as honourary pallbearers and his grandson, Shawn Neal served as the urn bearer. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
