Joshua Way McNeal, Sr.

Joshua Way McNeal, Sr. of Warsaw, Indiana went home to be with his Lord at 6:34 a.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana at age of 81.

He was born on July 29, 1939 in Cobbtown, Georgia, one of seven children born to Ollie Mae (Dekle) McNeal and John McNeal.  He was married on June 26, 1971 to Mildred Alice Johnson.  They were blessed with raising two daughters and one son, sharing their lives in everything they did during their 49 years of marriage before he passed away.

Joshua graduated in 1956 from Candler County Training School in Metter, Georgia.  During his lifetime he had moved to Florida and later to Indiana.  He went on to work as a truck driver for a number of years.  He enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation from the window of his truck wherever he happened to be.  Joshua was a dedicated, reliable, hard-working, honest family man.  He also worked for the Free Methodist Publishing House and was entrusted with the janitorial duties.  Cleaning and maintenance is very hard work and he proudly held that position for many years.  Joshua finally retired in 2001 and kept busy doing one thing or another.  He loved to worship at New Life Christian Church and World Outreach in Warsaw and enjoyed the fellowship of his church family.  He dearly loved his family and his family LOVED him beyond measure in return.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and relished his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather.  One unforgettable nugget of wisdom Joshua’s family will forever cherish is hearing him repeatedly say “You should dress to look like a million bucks EVEN if you don’t feel like it!”  He will be dearly missed by his family and the many friends that were fortunate to have known him. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife:  Mildred Alice McNeal (Warsaw, Indiana); two daughters:  Sara Strahan Lenfestey (Warsaw, Indiana); Leta McNeal (Warsaw, Indiana); and his son:  Joshua McNeal, Jr. (Warsaw, Indiana).  Also surviving is his grandson:  Robert (Whitney) Strahan (Fort Wayne, Indiana); great-grandchildren:  Jaxon Jeffery Strahan and Alaya AnnMarie Strahan; and his brother:  Brother:  Dr. Reverend John (Earlene) McNeal (Decatur, Georgia).  He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Maybell Brazel and Velouria Holloway, and three brothers, Samuel, Joe, Howard McNeal.           

Joshua’s life will be celebrated with a home-going service at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana and officiated by Pastor John B. Lowe and Dr. Rev. John McNeal.  There will be two hours of visitation prior to the service from 10:00 – 12:00 noon.  A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Senior Services, Lucerne Park, 800 N Park Ave, Warsaw, Indiana  46580 and would be appreciated by the family.

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