Neal Wolfe

Neal Wolfe, 102, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Neal Eugene Wolfe, son of Charles Loren and Mattie Gail (Surry) Wolfe, was born March 10, 1922, in Unionville, MO. Neal was raised on the family farm near Unionville and attended country school. He enlisted in the US Navy on October 17, 1942. Neal was part of the crew of the Cruiser Birmingham and participated in landings in North Africa and Sicily before heading to the Pacific Theatre. She was considered one of the “fightingist” ships of the Navy, and Neal was present during the three times she sustained substantial damage. The Birmingham gunners shot down numerous suicide planes, and Wolfe saw action in the Solomons, Marianas, Philippines, and Iwo Jima. Following his discharge on November 21, 1945, he returned to Unionville and worked as a meat cutter for Grabosh Meat Market. Neal moved to Ottumwa in 1947, where he was employed as a meat cutter at a grocery store. Later, he was employed as a painter by John Deere for five years. While at John Deere, Neal also worked at a gas station in the evenings. He met his future wife there as she passed by the station each night on her way home from work. In 1954, Neal worked briefly as a meat cutter with Super Value Grocery Store in Knoxville. On July 11, 1954, Neal and Rosemary Davis were married at the Methodist Church in Delta, Iowa. They moved to Oskaloosa in November of that year, and he went to work at Howarth Refrigeration. In 1960, Neal and Rosemary opened Wolfe Appliance Service in Oskaloosa. Together, they operated the business until 2005. Neal was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa since 1977; he served as a deacon and an elder and will be fondly remembered as the chief pancake maker for the men’s breakfasts and other events. He also enjoyed the Older Adult Group for lunch and Bible study and volunteered for End-of-the-Month Meals at his church. He served at the Ecumenical Cupboard and rang the Salvation Army bells for several years. He was a life member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. In his early years, Neal enjoyed fishing and hunting. Bus tours were a favorite excursion for Neal and Rosemary, and Neal’s most memorable trip was the WWII Iowa Honor Flight in Aug. 2010. Even though appliance repair was his livelihood, he always enjoyed working on the machines and served on the advisory board in Appliance Technology at Indian Hills Community College for 12 years. He loved caring for his yard and working in the garden, and well into his older years, he could still be found creating beautifully crafted wood items, including flag cases, in his garage workshop. His family includes his wife of 70 years, Rosemary; daughters, Kathleen Fox (Rob Brooks) of Knoxville, IA, and Susan (Michael) Cuneo of Louisville, KY; four grandchildren; and a special nephew, Steven (Heather) Davis of Chariton; and other nieces and a nephew. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert (Lucille) and George (Evelyn) Wolfe, and a sister, Mildred (Edgar) Probasco. Funeral services for Neal will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Amy McGriff officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin after noon, Friday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorials can be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter or the First Presbyterian Church.

Neal Wolfe

March 10, 1922 - January 18, 2025