Mr. Neal Louis Null, 77, passed away at 1:47 PM Saturday, November 8, 2014 at his life-long home in rural Hire Township, Colchester, IL. Neal was born on December 4, 1936 in Macomb, IL, the eldest of 6 children of Lawrence and Clara Vollmer Null. In 1971 he married Linetta Little, together they had two daughters, Marcy and Megan Null.

Neal grew up, lived, and passed away within a one half mile area. He attended country schools, including: Argyle, Thompson College, and the Blandinsville Grade School. He Graduated from Blandinsville High school in 1954 where he was Valedictorian of his class. He prepared for his chosen career by majoring in Farm Operations at Iowa State University. Neal was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the scholastic honorary fraternity, the technical and professional equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa.

After college, Neal Served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960, including one year in France, and then served in the Army Reserves.

Neal was a 4-H member for many years with multiple projects and then gave years of service to 4-H Federation, Rural Youth, 4-H Building and Grounds Committees and the Extension Council of the University of Illinois/McDonough County Extension Service. He worked in various capacities during the annual McDonough County 4-H Shows.

From an early age, Neal learned and worked with his fathers company, Null Seed Farms, in the developing and growing of hybrid corn. He farmed and raised hogs with his brother, Ned, throughout his career. Neal also worked part time for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service drawing maps from aerial photographs then measuring and checking fields for government crop set-aside programs. He was also on the board of Industry Mutual Insurance Company.

For 24 years, Neal served as the Hire Township clerk. He was active in the Blandinsville United Methodist Church.

Besides his family and farm, Neals major interests were railroads and wood working. He was a voracious reader. Neal was always active in his daughters lives, from attending dance and piano recitals to teaching the to drive. He had close ties and friendships with his Null nieces and nephews and the many relatives in the extended Little family. He participated in the Null family tradition of the siblings and their families vacationing together every summer, usually on the farm, but also in Maine, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, to name a few. He also vacationed with Linettas family in Florida when the children were young. Neal was respected for his calm demeanor and keen memory for facts.

Neal is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linetta, and their two daughters, Marcy Null of Oak Park, IL and Megan Null of Columbia, MO. He is also survived by his five siblings: Nyla Hughes of Milwaukee, WI, Norman (Janice) Null of Laurel, MD, Nedra Orr of Jacksonville, IL, Nolen (Treen) Null of Baltimore, MD and Ned (Cathy) Null of rural Blandinsville, IL. He was a kindly uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe, IL with Rev. Don Riley officiating. Burial, with military rites, will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. A memorial fund has been established for the McDonough District Hospital Hospice and the Blandinsville United Methodist Church local mission fund.