Lois Rae Neel

Lois Rae (Fetterman) Neel, 93, died on August 24, 2026, at the home of her son Mike in Fitchville Township after an extended battle with dementia.

The daughter of Ray Clement and Dorothy (Hubler) Fetterman, Lois was born 19 Nov 1932 in Mansfield, Richland Co OH, she and her younger brother Doug moving to New London in 1943 after the death of their father to stay at the East Main Street home of their grandfather George Fetterman which became her residence for well over 80 years. Lois was a graduate of New London High School, Class of 1950. After a year at the University of Akron, she transferred to the Mansfield General Hospital School of Nursing where she completed her RN in 1954. She was afterwards an employee of Mansfield General Hospital 1954-1955, New London Hospital 1955-1983, and the Ohio Veterans Home 1983-1993 as a hospital floor supervisor.

Lois was baptized at the English Lutheran Church in Mansfield but joined the United Methodist Church when coming to New London. She was an active volunteer with the Red Cross for over 70 years, was a charter member of the New London Area Historical Society, had been membership secretary of the Firelands Area Art League, a member of Halcyon Chapter #347 Order of Eastern Star, New London Golden Agers, Ohio Genealogical Society, Firelands Chapter OGS, Ashland County Chapter OGS, and the Booster Club, Music Parents, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 292 back in the day.

Married on 3 Sep 1955 by Rev. Lawrence Crawford in the New London Methodist Church to Vaughn Keith Neel, her senior prom date, who survives her, they went on to have four sons, Thomas Stephen Neel of New London, Paul Douglas (Sue) Neel of Colorado Springs CO, John Alan (Stacy Crabbs) Neel of New London, and Michael Scott (Teresa) Neel of Fitchville. Grandchildren include Shannon (Justin) Damron, Shawn Neel, Brandon Neel, Blaine Neel, Misti Richard, Stephanie Hunt, Kevin (Marissa) Neel, Shelby (Tyler) Cawrse, Michelle Houser, Michael (Brittany) Neel, Jon (Julie) Patterson-Sowards, and Torin (Chris Richardson) Neel; and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother George D. “Doug” Fetterman of New London, and two who lived with the family back in the kid’s high school days, Douglas (Carol) McGee of Columbus and Scott (Jody) Davidson of New London.

Visitation and Service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 W. Main Street, New London, visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. with her funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial in Grove Street Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the New London Area Historical Society, 13 East Main St., New London OH 44851 or the New London United Methodist Church, 58 East Main St., New London OH 44851 or the New London Public Library, 67 South Main St., New London OH 44851.