Neal Dodge

Neal L. Dodge, 85 of Kearney, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at his residence. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney with the Rev. Roger Wendt officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 or Donor’s Choice. Online condolences or personal reflections may be submitted at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. On Friday, June 8th, visitation will be at the Eddy Funeral Home from 6pm-8pm in Jamestown, ND. Graveside services will be 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9th at Edmunds Cemetery, Edmunds, ND. Neal was born March 9th, 1927 in Edmunds, ND to Norman and Ella (Mae) Dodge. He married Darlyne Schrade on December 29, 1945. He was a parachutist in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. He was discharged in 1946. Neal and Darlyne moved to Longview, WA where he worked in a paper mill. Because of an injury, he returned to North Dakota and attended Molar Barber College in Fargo, ND. He owned Dodge's Barber shop for many years in Jamestown, ND. He was president of the North Dakota Barber's Association and a member of the American Legion Post #14 and the Drum and Bugle Corp. After a life changing experience, Neal gave his life to Jesus Christ, and became an officer in the Salvation Army. He and his wife served in Aberdeen, SD, Lincoln, NE, Kansas City, MO and Wichita, KS. He returned to Jamestown and then moved to Kearney, NE. Neal's passions in life were to live for God, serve his country, and love his family. He enjoyed many special times with his grandchildren and 3 great-granddaughters. Neal enjoyed fishing, reading, NY Yankees and being a friend to all. He attended New Life Assembly. Survivors include his wife, Darlyne Dodge of Kearney; daughter, Connie Lester and husband, Clarence of Kearney; granddaughter, Carina Bennison and husband, Josh of Helena, MT; grandson, Chad Lester of Kearney; great granddaughters, Carina, Alexis and Ava. Neal is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lynda Dodge; sister, Beverly Wanamaker and brothers, Norman and Lyle Dodge.

Neal Dodge

March 9, 1927 - June 5, 2012