Neal G. Conway, age 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his favorite place, “home,” on December 8, 2019.
He was born February 24, 1936 in Detroit, MI, the son of Samuel and Ruth Conway. He married his wife of 59 years, Joan M. (Jackson) in Fitchburg, MI on September 2, 1960, and she survives. Also surviving are three children, Alan (Debbie) Conway of Arizona, Corinne Conway (Alan Finkbeiner) of Jackson, MI, and Elizabeth Diethelm of Arizona; six grandchildren, one brother, Samuel Lee Conway of Concord, and loved brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jill and Steve Holleque, Julie Jackson and Bill Powaser, and Tom and Kathy Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son-in-law, Matthew Diethelm.
Neal had lived in the area since 1945. He loved his farm, family and pets. Routine trips to run errands often turned into long conversations with other farmers and friends. He worked for Consumers Energy for 44 years. His love of travel and meeting people from other countries started with serving many years as Lions Youth Exchange Chairman and was name Lions Club International Youth Exchange Chairman of the Year.
He loved sharing his farming knowledge with others and was formerly a member of the Michigan Sheep Breeders Association. He served as a resource to the MSU International Agriculture Short Course program and arranged for farmers to meet other farmers internationally. His international experiences included agricultural related travel to Argentina, Scotland, and New Zealand. His favorite travel experience was traveling back to his farm and home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
