Rev. John Neace – Benton, IL

Rev. John Daniel Neace, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 3:50 p.m., Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the VA Community Living Center of Marion, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the First Church of God, 1200 Grand Street, Benton, Illinois, with Rev. David Hall, Rev. Wayne Absher and Rev. Eric Livingston officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Meisenheimer – Mt. Olive Cemetery of Dongola, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at the First Church of God of Benton.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.

Rev. Neace was born on January 25, 1950 in Murphysboro, Illinois; the son of Rev. Daniel Hobert Neace and Alice Elizabeth (Reed) Neace. John would graduate from Murphysboro High School Class of 1967. He married the former Barbara Kay Gibson on July 27, 1969, and she survives.

John would further his education and obtained his master’s degree in Education from SIU- Carbondale.

He served his country in the U.S. Army where he served from August of 1972 through September of 1993. Because he knew how to type, his family said the Army placed him in graves registration. He would retire as a Sergeant.

Most importantly he served God as a Minister with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). He was the pastor of First Church of God of Benton, IL from July 1989 until his death on March 2, 2023. Previously he pastored at the First Church of God of Shady Grove, KY (from 1976 – 1978), First Church of God of Lovington, IL (from Oct. 1979 – July 1989). Rev. Neace was an Elder with the Illinois State Ministries, he was a past Secretary and Treasurer with the Southern Illinois Church of God Campground Association, serving in that capacity for 22 years. He was an active member of the Benton Ministerial Alliance, serving in various positions, until his health would not allow him to serve.

Pastor Neace enjoyed reading the Bible, listening to “Classic Country” music. His family said he loved going to the library. He loved attending Camp Meetings, Revival Services, and Gospel Music concerts. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family. Especially his wife Barbara and son Jonathan.

Surviving is his loving wife of 53 1/2 years, Barbara Kay Neace of Benton; his loving son Jonathan Daniel Neace of Benton; his mother-in-law Joan Gibson of Anna, IL; four brothers: Hobert Neace and wife Phyllis of Murphysboro, IL, Claude Neace and wife Norma of Fruitland, MO, Andrew Neace of Jackson, MO, Donald Neace and wife Lisa of Port Coral, FL; a brother-in-law Dewayne Gibson and wife Mary of Vienna, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his church family.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Rev. Daniel Hobert Neace and Alice Elizabeth Neace; a sister Betty Ripley and husband Junior; a brother Robert Neace; father-in-law Floyd Gibson; a stillborn sister-in-law Nancy Joan Gibson; brother-in-law Rev. Michael Gibson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Rev. John Daniel Neace, and will be accepted at the services on Tuesday; or can be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Rev. Neace, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com